The great egret, however, has black legs and feet and a yellow beak, whereas the snowy egret’s legs and beak are black and their feet are yellow. We still have much to learn about the biology and population status of snowy egrets in New Jersey. 1997. References. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online. Stolen, E. D.  2003. No.The snowy owl is not an endangered species. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building It feeds in fresh and salt water habitats within flocks of other wading birds. The diet of the snowy egret primarily consists of shrimp, small fish, and small invertebrates. The name Snowy Egret comes from the snowy white plumage each bird has during breeding season. Report a sighting of a banded shorebird or rare species. Three or four greenish-blue eggs are laid and then incubated by both adults for 20-24 days. The snowy egret is a small and active wading bird that can reach a height of 26 inches (66 centimeters) with a 39 inch (100 centimeters) wingspan (Parsons and Master 2000). Other potential threats to snowy egret populations are alterations to the hydrology of foraging areas, and oil spill impacts to critical breeding, foraging, and roosting sites. This species can be found in the U.S. from northern California, east to South Dakota, and south to Florida where they are widespread year-round residents. Washington, D.C. Parsons, Katharine C. and Terry L. Master. Because they nest in colonies, they were an easy target for hunters. Snowy egrets feed on fish, aquatic invertebrates and even small snakes and lizards. Pesticide and heavy metal levels of waterbirds in the Everglades agricultural area of south Florida. Home | Contact Us | Conserve Wildlife Blog | eNews Signup | Calendar of Events | ePostcards | Glossary | Sitemap | About this Site | Support CWF on Amazon Smile, Copyright 2020 Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Snowy Egrets nest in colonies on thick vegetation in isolated placessuch as barrier islands, dredge-spoil islands, salt marsh islands, swamps, and marshes. 2002. Florida Field Naturalist 25: 42-50. Today’s threats to the species are not well understood, but coastal development, recreational disturbance at foraging and breeding sites, habitat degradation, human disturbance, and increased pressure from predators are primary concerns (Rodgers et al. What bird is white and graceful? 1996, Kushlan et al. The effects of vehicle passage on foraging behavior of wading birds. Wetland destruction has caused a decrease in egret populations from their historic numbers. They nest in trees by fresh or salt water and forage in and alongside water bodies. Download the complete list of New Jersey's Endangered, Threatened, & Special Concern species. The snowy egret has a fairly wide range. They may also hover, or "dip-fish" by flying with their feet … 620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL • (850) 488-4676 Like many species in New Jersey, protecting snowy egrets is closely tied with protecting their wetland habitats. Geological SurveyPrintable version of this page. The young will leave the nest for nearby branches at about 3-4 weeks of age. The snowy egret is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and from take by 68A-4.001, F.A.C. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Currently, the greatest threat to the snowy egret is habitat loss and degradation together with disturbance of nesting colonies. Although hunting did result in a sever decline in the species’ population, it has largely recovered from that threat. 2002. The bird is now protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. A., M. J. Steinkamp, K. C. Parsons, J. Capp, M. A. Cruz, M. Coulter, I. Davidson, L. Dickson, N. Edelson, R. Elliot, R. M. Erwin, S. Hatch, S. Kress, R. Milko, S. Miller, K. Mills, R. Paul, R. Phillips, J. E. Saliva, B. Syderman, J. Trapp, J. Wheeler, and K. Wohl. Their preferred habitat is wetland and forest bordering water bodies. The Snowy Egret is the American counterpart of the Old World Little Egret. Strong environmental laws to protect wetlands from disturbance and development help to protect wetlands and the egret. The snowy egret’s breeding feathers made it among the most hunted species during the 1800s and early 1900s for the millinery trade. Birds like the snowy egret were on the brink of extinction, all because of their sought-after plumage (From the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History) Accessed September 14, 2011 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Egretta_thula.html. Because they nest in colonies, they were an easy target for hunters. 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