Alternate (breeding) plumage.--Individuals of both species acquire head plumes. The Little Egret develops two long, lanceolate head plumes that are much longer than the shaggy, filamentous head plumes of Snowy Egret. The Snowy Egret also develops recurved filamentous plumes on the back, which are lacking in Little Egret; however, the back feathers of Little Egret may be ruffled by the breeze, thus resembling Snowy Egret. The lores of Snowy Egret become bright orange or reddish when breeding, but are otherwise bright yellow. In Little Egret the lores may become bright red, orange or yellow when breeding, but are otherwise bluish, greenish or greyish and much more variable in color. The feet of both Little Egret and Snowy Egret may also turn bright orange or red when breeding, but are usually brighter yellow in Snowy Egret and duller greenish-yellow in Little Egret.
