Snowy/Little egret - Humber Bay East

[Grant]

I believe I saw a Little Egret with a great egret  in large enclosed bay near the bridge. It had a dark beak and different color feet so I am going with little egret instead of a cattle egret. Also a number of yellow warblers. It was there at 9:30 am this morning. The size difference was really noticeable. Confirmation Requested.


Grant Hickey

[skip]

Luc Fazio reported a Snowy Egret today at Colonel Sam Smith.

[Grant]

[Anonymous]

Your photo is of a Snowy Egret Grant

Note the yellow feet.

[cloaca]

Your photo is of a Snowy Egret Grant

Note the yellow feet.

Obviously it's not a Little Egret, but yellow feet are not the reason.  Little Egrets also have yellow feet.

[Anonymous]

OOPS !

Of course you are absolutely right cloaca re the Little Egrets feet.

[Grant]

I was under the believe that a snowy egret and a little egret where the same thing??
My guide said the difference between a little egret and a cattle egret where the bill and the feet.
So if a little egret and a snowy egret are not the same thing what is the difference and how do you tell the difference,.


Grant

[BC]

The Little Egret (egretta garzetta) is the European bird and has visited North America occasionally. The Snowy Egret (egretta thula) is our North American resident. The fifth edition of Peterson gives a good comparison.
They are very similar but your bird has the crest of a Snowy. The Little has two thin head plumes.