Family: ArdeidaeHabitat: Found in marshes, ponds, and lakes; also in lagoons and other shallow coastal habitats (A.O.U. 1998).
Distribution: Breeds south of a line running from eastern Oregon and northern California through southeastern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northeastern Wisconsin, southern Ontario, and northwestern Ohio, to the Atlantic coast (north to Maine); breeding range extends south into Baja California and Mexico. Generally winters from northern California, southwestern Arizona, the Gulf coast, and coastal South Carolina south throughout its breeding range (A.O.U. 1998). Post-breeding dispersal in late summer and early fall results in birds appearing at inland locations far north of their breeding range.
Field Marks: Snowy white plumage, dark legs, black bill, and yellow feet (sometimes called golden slippers). Smaller than Great Egret.
Nest Habits: Breeds in colonies, usually in association with other herons and egrets. Nest is placed on the ground or, more typically, up to 30 feet high in shrub or tree and consists of a platform of sticks lined with twigs and rushes.
Eggs: 1-6, usually 3-5; 43 millimeter; pale bluish-green in color.
Incubation: Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. Incubation usually lasts about 20-24 days, and young are able to fly when they are approximately 30 days old.
