snowy egret

noun

1. a white egret, Egretta thula, of the warmer parts of the Western Hemisphere: formerly hunted in great numbers for its plumes, the species is now protected and has recovered.

snowy egret

noun

1. a small American egret, Egretta thula, having a white plumage, yellow legs, and a black bill

Word History and Origins

Origin of snowy egret¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

He said a snowy egret swooped down and looked like it was going to dive for my head, then decided not to.

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Along the way, you may see marbled godwits, snowy egrets and other shorebirds.

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Yet another reader described a “magical” spot at Stinson Beach in Marin County, where birders could watch scores of snowy egrets and great blue herons nest.

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There may be schools of tiny fish near the surface, or dragonflies lingering just above, snowy egrets or other birds along the shore, or maybe sea birds diving for fish.

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And the birds: great blue heron, green heron, tri-colored heron, great egret, cattle egret, snowy egret, red shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, Coopers hawk.

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