snowy egret

American  

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.

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snowy egret British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of snowy egret

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Washington Times

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.

From Washington Post