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WetlandPlatform nestLarge · 312 g
What the Little Egret sounds like
ID tip
The adult little egret is 55–65 cm (22–26 in) long with an 88–106 cm (35–42 in) wingspan, and weighs 350–550 g (12–19 oz). Its plumage is normally entirely white, although there are dark forms with largely bluish-grey plumage. In the breeding season, the adult has two long plumes on the nape that form a crest. These plumes are about 150 mm (6 in) and are pointed and very narrow. There are similar feathers on the breast, but the barbs are more widely spread. There are also several elongated scapular feathers that have long loose barbs and may be 200 mm (8 in) long.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Little Egret
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Little Egret
The map shades 167 countries with regular records, and 6 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Canada, Finland, Aruba, Estonia, St. Barthélemy.
About the Little Egret
The little egret is a species of small heron in the family Ardeidae. It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially, often with other species of water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of three to five bluish-green eggs is laid and incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at about six weeks of age.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Little Blue HeronEgretta caeruleaMales and females have the same coloration.
Snowy EgretEgretta thulaAdult snowy egrets are entirely white apart from the yellow lores between the long black bill and the eye, black legs, and bright yellow feet.
Tricolored HeronEgretta tricolorThis species measures from 56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in) long and has a typical wingspan of 96 cm (38 in).
Side by side: Little Egret vs Snowy Egret · Little Blue Heron vs Little Egret · Little Egret vs Tricolored Heron
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