ELEGANT GREAT AND SNOWY EGRETS

     Great egrets and snowy egrets are elegant in spring and summer with their immaculate white feathering and long, luxurious, white plumes that indicate their breeding readiness.  These stately, related birds are over three feet tall and almost two feet high respectively, and have long legs for wading in waterways and impoundments and long necks to reach out to snare frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, small fish and other prey.  And they both have long, pointed beaks they use to grab their victims.  

     Great egrets have black legs and yellow bills while snowies have black beaks, black legs, but yellow feet, like golden slippers.  Those differences, plus sizes, identify these magnificent birds from each other. 

     These majestic egrets begin nesting early in spring, mostly in the wetlands of the southern United States.  But by July, many post-breeding individuals of both kinds drift north to find fresh fishing waters.  Then they are seen most anyplace there is larger bodies of water, including creeks, rivers, farm ponds, freshwater marshes, and salt marshes along the oceans.  Sometimes these egrets gather into mixed groups where the fishing is exceptionally good.  Then they are exciting and inspiring to see, all of them white among the waters and tall, green grasses. 

     Each stately egret of both kinds wades stealthily through the shallows, step by cautious step, while watching intently for prey.  When a potential victim is spotted, each egret slowly eases into striking distance and lunges out its long neck to grab the critter in its beak.  If successful, each egret swallows its prey whole and head-first and immediately looks for more creatures to grab and consume.  

     Some great egrets also catch mice in the meadows near waterways and impoundments.  They use the same cautious stalk they use to snare aquatic prey.  And when they catch mice, they dunk them in water to slick their fur for easier swallowing.  

     By September, most of these handsome egrets of both kinds drift south again to find waters that won't freeze in winter.  But they brought much beauty north when they were here in summer.              

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