Snowy Egret

Snowy egrets (Egretta thula) are migratory birds often found in San Francisco Bay’s salt marshes, and are easily spotted by their beautiful pure-white feathers. Their long legs are perfectly adapted to foraging for seafood beneath the pickleweed and cordgrass, where the birds stir up mud to unearth crabs, oysters, and shrimp. Although snowy egret populations make a typical migration on the Pacific Flyway towards warmer climates come winter, colonies will return to San Francisco Bay in the spring for breeding purposes. During this time, the snowy egret builds nests for their young in large trees to provide above-ground protection from predators. Willow trees are a preferred nesting site, typically found in freshwater ecosystems. Still, snowy egrets can be found in the local salt marshes during this season as they need to feed. We are very fortunate to behold the abundance of egrets seen today, as these populations have recovered from a history of exploitation for their beautiful white feathers. The snowy egret is a living example that the conservation and protection of endangered species can have a huge, positive impact on species recovery.