Snowy Egret
"A familiar heron of the Americas, the snowy egret (Egretta thula) is well known for its spectacular mating displays, frantic foraging behaviours and beautiful all-white plumage. During the breeding season, this medium-sized heron develops long, thin, wispy plumes along the neck, breast and back and a short, shaggy crest on the back of the head. At the height of the breeding season, the conspicuous yellow feet and the bright yellow bare skin between the eyes and the bill become richer in colour, often with a reddish or orange tinge.
The snowy egret has a thin, black bill and slender, black legs, which have a yellow stripe on the back. The breeding male and female look alike, but the juvenile and non-breeding adult have a pale greyish base to the lower mandible and duller, greenish-yellow feet, with this colour extending up the lower leg to the knee joint.
Whilst foraging, the snowy egret walks upright with the neck slightly arched, and it flies strongly with deep wing beats, the yellow feet visibly trailing behind the body. It is an extremely vocal heron, particularly during aggressive encounters, when a characteristic “rah” call is emitted. This becomes harsher with the intensity of the encounter.
The snowy egret is often confused with the juvenile little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), but may be distinguished by the pure white tips on the wing feathers, the solid black bill and the bright yellow feet, which give the impression that the bird is wearing gloves."
http://www.arkive.org/snowy-egret/egretta-thula/
The snowy egret has a thin, black bill and slender, black legs, which have a yellow stripe on the back. The breeding male and female look alike, but the juvenile and non-breeding adult have a pale greyish base to the lower mandible and duller, greenish-yellow feet, with this colour extending up the lower leg to the knee joint.
Whilst foraging, the snowy egret walks upright with the neck slightly arched, and it flies strongly with deep wing beats, the yellow feet visibly trailing behind the body. It is an extremely vocal heron, particularly during aggressive encounters, when a characteristic “rah” call is emitted. This becomes harsher with the intensity of the encounter.
The snowy egret is often confused with the juvenile little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), but may be distinguished by the pure white tips on the wing feathers, the solid black bill and the bright yellow feet, which give the impression that the bird is wearing gloves."
http://www.arkive.org/snowy-egret/egretta-thula/