By M. Kathy Raines
The snowy egret slipped its yolk-yellow feet, toes first, into waters of the saltmarsh and strode across, stealthy and alert, ready to strike.
Its feet, the proverbial “golden slippers” on which the bird “dances”, instantly identify this graceful, resourceful feeder in our marshes, mudflats and resacas, distinguishing it from the taller great egret, whose legs are black. Snowy egrets often snatch small prey from the rocks on our jetties, but I haven’t seen any there for months; nearby marshes must be offering superior dining.
These long-necked, dark-legged, yellow-footed shorebirds thrive here year-round. During breeding season, the egret’s bright yellow lores—featherless areas between the eyes and bills—redden, and long plumes on its head, neck and back blossom into lacy, upward curves, attire befitting a bride. But rare beauty, for birds living near humans, can prove troublesome. The painted bunting’s striking colors and the northern mockingbird’s beautiful melodies once popularized them as caged pets. The snowy egret’s stunning feathers, especially when in breeding splendor, led to their near demise in Texas when collectors sold them for ladies’ hats.
The snowy egret (Egretta thula) is one of 72 species, including egrets and bitterns, in the heron family or Ardeidae, whose members stalk, ambush and thrust at prey with knifelike bills. Also, herons’ vertebrae let them propel, then snap back, their sinuous necks.
Known for its flexible hunting techniques and broad diet, the snowy egret eats fish and invertebrates, including snails, crabs and insects. Both an ambush and active hunter, it may stand in water, awaiting prey that happens by, sometimes stirring or raking small creatures with one or both feet. The egret dabbles its bill tip in the water, attracting fish by mimicking the turmoil of a struggling insect. It runs in the shallows, with partially raised wings, its feet drawing out prey. It hovers, dropping upon quarry or flies head-down, catching fish discarded by shrimpers. It follows cattle, catching flushed insects. Masses of shorebirds feed together, and, since they all trigger prey, snowy egrets flourish in their company.
Egrets overcome refraction—light reflected from a fish that bends at the water’s surface, creating the illusion that it is elsewhere—impressively for a creature unschooled in mathematics. In laboratories, researchers have observed egrets aiming their bills at perfect angles to correct for refraction, almost never missing their targets. In the wild, of course, with preferred angles blocked, egrets position their bills as best they can.
Its feet, the proverbial “golden slippers” on which the bird “dances”, instantly identify this graceful, resourceful feeder in our marshes, mudflats and resacas, distinguishing it from the taller great egret, whose legs are black. Snowy egrets often snatch small prey from the rocks on our jetties, but I haven’t seen any there for months; nearby marshes must be offering superior dining.
These long-necked, dark-legged, yellow-footed shorebirds thrive here year-round. During breeding season, the egret’s bright yellow lores—featherless areas between the eyes and bills—redden, and long plumes on its head, neck and back blossom into lacy, upward curves, attire befitting a bride. But rare beauty, for birds living near humans, can prove troublesome. The painted bunting’s striking colors and the northern mockingbird’s beautiful melodies once popularized them as caged pets. The snowy egret’s stunning feathers, especially when in breeding splendor, led to their near demise in Texas when collectors sold them for ladies’ hats.
The snowy egret (Egretta thula) is one of 72 species, including egrets and bitterns, in the heron family or Ardeidae, whose members stalk, ambush and thrust at prey with knifelike bills. Also, herons’ vertebrae let them propel, then snap back, their sinuous necks.
Known for its flexible hunting techniques and broad diet, the snowy egret eats fish and invertebrates, including snails, crabs and insects. Both an ambush and active hunter, it may stand in water, awaiting prey that happens by, sometimes stirring or raking small creatures with one or both feet. The egret dabbles its bill tip in the water, attracting fish by mimicking the turmoil of a struggling insect. It runs in the shallows, with partially raised wings, its feet drawing out prey. It hovers, dropping upon quarry or flies head-down, catching fish discarded by shrimpers. It follows cattle, catching flushed insects. Masses of shorebirds feed together, and, since they all trigger prey, snowy egrets flourish in their company.
Egrets overcome refraction—light reflected from a fish that bends at the water’s surface, creating the illusion that it is elsewhere—impressively for a creature unschooled in mathematics. In laboratories, researchers have observed egrets aiming their bills at perfect angles to correct for refraction, almost never missing their targets. In the wild, of course, with preferred angles blocked, egrets position their bills as best they can.
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