Unusual Hovering Behavior and Attempted Prey Theft by Snowy Egrets

Abstract

Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula) are often active hunters, walking and swishing their yellow feet to flush potential prey. Stealing prey (kleptoparastism) has not often been included in the list of normal Snowy Egret foraging behavior. Collins (2006) described them as stealing prey from Elegant Terns (Thalassseus elegans) in a manner similar to some of the behavior described here.