Gorgeous Feathers

One of the fanciest-feathered of the egrets is the snowy egret. About 2 feet tall, this medium-sized egret has delicate, flowing plumage. Its beautiful feathers were the reason for the birds’ serious decline in the late 1800s. According to the All About Birds website:

During the breeding season, adult Snowy Egrets develop long, wispy feathers on their backs, necks, and heads. In 1886 these plumes were valued at $32 per ounce, which was twice the price of gold at the time. Plume-hunting for the fashion industry killed many Snowy Egrets and other birds until reforms were passed in the early twentieth century. The recovery of shorebird populations through the work of concerned citizens was an early triumph and helped give birth to the conservation movement.

Thankfully for us this species has recovered and is a common sight throughout Florida and the Southeast. An easy way to identify this pretty egret is by noticing that its black legs end in bright yellow feet.

At Merritt Island Refuge, the snowy egrets were starting to get amped up for breeding season. This bird was staking out its place on a culvert:

And here is a congregation of egrets, mostly snowies with a few great egrets, looking for food in the drainage ditch at Merritt Island: