Egrets are elegant white wading birds that can be found throughout Florida. With their long legs, S-shaped necks, and bright plumage, egrets are unmistakable birds that add grace and beauty to wetlands and waterways. Florida is home to two main species of egrets: the Great Egret and the Snowy Egret. While similar in appearance, there are some key differences to look for when identifying which egret species you’ve spotted.
What is an Egret?
Egrets belong to the Ardeidae family of wading birds, which also includes herons and bitterns. The word “egret” comes from the French word “aigrette” meaning both “egret” and “brush,” likely referring to the showy decorative plumes that egrets grow on their backs during breeding season.
There are six species of egrets worldwide, with the Great Egret and Snowy Egret being the two most widespread and commonly seen in Florida. Both species stand about 3 feet tall, have slim builds, yellow-grey legs, black bills, and lanky necks. During breeding season, egrets grow long white decorative feathers called “aigrettes” on their backs that were coveted by the fashion industry in the past, leading to devastating overhunting of egret populations.
Egrets are colonial waterbirds that nest in large groups called heronries or rookeries. They build platform stick nests in trees or shrubs near water. Clutch sizes are typically 3-5 eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. Egrets reach sexual maturity by 2 years old.
How to Distinguish Between Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets
Telling a Great Egret apart from a Snowy Egret can be tricky at first since they appear so similar. However, with a bit of practice, identification is quite easy. Here are the key field marks to look for:
Size
The most obvious difference is size. Great Egrets are much larger with a wingspan of 52-67 inches compared to Snowy Egrets at 41-47 inches. Great Egrets stand nearly twice as tall at 3.5 feet while Snowy Egrets reach just 2 feet tall.
Bill Color
Great Egrets have a long yellow bill while Snowy Egrets have a black bill with just a tiny bit of yellow near the base. The yellow on the Great Egret’s bill extends about halfway up the upper mandible. Snowy Egrets lack that bright yellow coloration.
Plumage
Both species are bright white but the Great Egret’s feathers have a more golden hue while the Snowy Egret is a stark, icy white all over. Great Egrets also have long plumes extending from the back during breeding season compared to the shorter plumes of the Snowy.
Legs
Great Egrets have black legs with bright yellow feet while Snowy Egrets have black legs with neon orange-yellow feet. The leg color difference is very noticeable when seeing the species side by side.
Habitat
Great Egrets utilize a wider variety of aquatic habitats. They are often seen wading in estuaries, marshes, ponds, flooded fields, and along shorelines. Snowy Egrets prefer shallow waters and are most frequently found in saltwater marshes, mangroves, lagoons, tidal flats, and shorelines.
Great Egret Identification
With its stunning white plumage and bright yellow feet, the Great Egret (Ardea alba) is unmistakable. Here are some key identification points:
- Size: 3.5 feet tall with 52-67 inch wingspan
- Bill: Long, dagger-like; yellow color extends halfway up the upper mandible
- Plumage: Entirely white with a golden, creamy hue
- Legs: Black with bright yellow feet
- Distinctive lanky S-shaped neck
- Long ornate plumes on back during breeding season
- Habitat: Freshwater and brackish wetlands, marshes, ponds, flooded fields
- Flight: Slow steady wingbeats, neck pulled back in an S
Plumages and Molt
Great Egrets have only one plumage type that does not vary between sexes or seasons. The breeding plumes emerge from the back only during the breeding seasons. These plumes will be shed after breeding finishes. Molt occurs gradually throughout the year, becoming most extensive pre- and post-breeding.
Similar Species
The most similar species is the Snowy Egret which is smaller with an all black bill, black legs, and more limited yellow on the feet. The Intermediate Egret and White Morph Reddish Egret may also cause confusion but are much less common than the Snowy Egret in Florida.
Snowy Egret Identification
The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a small, slim white heron adorned with decorative plumes during breeding season. Here are the key identification characteristics:
- Size: 2 feet tall with a 41-47 inch wingspan
- Bill: Slim, dagger-like bill that is black with just a tiny bit of yellow at the base
- Plumage: Pure clean white without any cream tones
- Legs: Black legs with neon orange-yellow feet
- Thin neck that forms a loose S when flying or hunting
- Short breeding plumes on the back called aigrettes
- Habitat: Shallow coastal wetlands, marshes, mangroves, tidal flats
- Flight: Slow steady wingbeats with quick bursts when moving between perches
Plumages and Molt
Like Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets have one plumage type all year that does not vary between sexes or seasons. The breeding plumes are temporary. Molt happens gradually year-round and intensifies before and after breeding.
Similar Species
Most similar to the larger Great Egret which has extensive yellow on the bill that reaches halfway up the upper mandible. The Little Blue Heron is also confused with the Snowy Egret but has blue-grey legs and a two-toned blue-and-white plumage as a juvenile.
Egret Behavior
Egrets showcase fascinating hunting behavior centered around their stealthy approach and lightning fast strike. Here are some of the common egret behaviors to watch for:
Foraging
Egrets are tactile foragers that hunt by feeling for prey in the water. They slowly wade through shallows with their feet stirring up potential food. Once prey is detected, they swiftly plunge their bills down to capture fish, frogs, insects, and other aquatic animals. Snowy Egrets in particular have a fun technique called canopy feeding where they open their wings overhead to provide shade that attracts more prey.
Perching
Look for egrets perched patiently on branches, snags, channel markers, piers and other structures scanning for prey activity below. The distinctive S-shaped neck is very noticeable when perched.
Flight
Egrets fly slowly with steady, stiff wing beats and legs outstretched behind. Their thin necks form a loose S-shape in flight. Great Egrets glide frequently, holding their wings in a dihedral or V-shape.
Breeding
During breeding season, egrets grow long ornamental plumes and intensify their courtship displays. Watch for pairing egrets extending their plumes, clattering bills, and entwining necks as part of intricate greeting rituals.
When and Where to See Egrets in Florida
Egrets reside in Florida year-round and are present in good numbers from fall through spring. The best times and locations to spot them are:
Fall Migration
Late August – November
Fall brings the return of egrets dispersing from northern breeding grounds further south for the winter. Excellent egret spotting opportunities can be had in wetlands statewide.
Winter
December – February
Winter is a great time to find both Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets stalking shallows on coastal beaches, inland wetlands, flooded fields, and along river banks and lake edges throughout Florida.
Spring Breeding Season
March – May
March marks the start of breeding behaviors like courtship displays, nest building, and pair bonding. Egrets concentrate at colonies throughout the state. Some of the best spring egret viewing spots in Florida include:
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- Peace River and Shell Creek Rookeries
Summer
June – July
Resident egrets disperse from breeding colonies to forage and roost locally. Young-of-the-year join the feeding flocks. Egrets frequent the same coastal and inland wetland habitats.
Conclusion
With a range covering wetlands across the state, chances are good to cross paths with elegant egrets in Florida. Both the stately Great Egret and petite Snowy Egret make for delightful additions to any birding adventure. Equipped with the knowledge to distinguish their key features, identifying these white wading birds becomes a breeze.
