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The article discusses a telemetry-based study of Snowy Egret nest activity patterns, food provisioning rates and foraging energetics in a mixed-species colony in Wichita, Kansas from May to July 2009 and 2010. Analysis identified Julian date, chick stage and year as predictor variables in nest activity patterns. Results showed differences in round-trip flight distances to foraging sites, and comparison revealed capture efficiencies, aggression rates and rates of energy intake among birds.

The article discusses a study on Great Egrets or Ardea alba nesting in a mixed-species colony in Witchita, Kansas from May-July in 2008 and 2009 and describes the patterns of its nest activity and food provisioning. It theorizes that mean food-provisioning intervals should decrease as young increase in size and that incubating adults spend more time at the next engaged in low-cost activities. It suggests that activities at the nest made the majority of a Great Egret's daily time but accounted for a small percentage of its daily energy expenditure.

The article discusses a study which examined flight patterns of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets arriving at and departing mixed-species colonies in Wichita, Kansas in May and June 2007. Results showed that flight patterns have similarities. The mean air speeds for Great Egrets did not differ from those of Snowy Egrets. Meanwhile, difference included lower wing-beat frequencies by Great Egrets. Flight comprised 25.9% of the total energy budget for Great Egrets and they can meet their daily energy requirements for flight after about 82 minutes of foraging. Meanwhile, flight comprised of 27.5% of the energy budget for Snowy Egrets, which must forage for 168 minutes to capture enough prey to meet the daily demands.