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.
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.
What the Little Egret sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Finland, Aruba, Estonia, St. Barthélemy.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
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
Learn the Little Egret for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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