Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
NATURAL HABITAT
The Snowy egret lives in marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes and coastal regions.
DIET
IN THE WILD – Reptiles, insects, small fish, fiddler crabs and other crustaceans
IN THE ZOO – Meat, fish, insects and grain
FASCINATING FACTS
- Eggs are incubated by both adults.
- Stir up bottom of water with one foot to make prey visible.
- Evidence shows that egret pairs do not recognize each other except at the nest and must display an elaborate greeting ceremony in order to be known.
- At the end of the nineteenth century, feathers were used to adorn women's hats and the high demand made them worth twice the price of gold at the time.