Snowy Egret – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Photo Credit: Mary Ellen Urbanski, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview

Species Common Name Snowy Egret
Species Scientific Name Egretta thula
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Special needs

Snowy Egrets use trees, shrubs, and stout herbaceous vegetation, such as hardstem bulrush, for nest sites.

Limiting factors

Snowy Egrets persist in small, disjunct breeding colonies. Evidence suggests that their population is declining. Like many colonial-nesting birds, Snowy Egrets are sensitive to human disturbance.

Data gaps

Investigate competition with other herons and egrets, especially non-native Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis).

Conservation actions

Minimize human disturbance in nesting areas during the breeding season.

Key reference or plan

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas