Snowy Egret

Description:

a small white heron, typically about 24" tall, with yellow feet. The "shaggy" plumage at the back of the neck and head begins developing during mating season. Migratory in colder climates, the birds inhabiting more temperate habitats are year-round residents. Once hunted for their plumage, the snowy egrets are now Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and populations have returned to stable numbers.

Habitat:

Western and southwestern U.S as well as Great Lakes areas, and South America.

Notes:

spotted at Lake Merritt, in Oakland.