Little Egret Bird Facts (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret is a striking, medium-sized heron with pure white plumage. It has a slender dagger-like black bill, long black legs, and yellow feet.

During the breeding season, adults develop long, filamentous plumes on the crest, back, and chest.

Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but may have duller legs and feet. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with females slightly smaller on average than males.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Little Egret can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Little Egret can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Little Egret is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Little Egrets inhabit a wide range of wetland habitats, including coastal lagoons, estuaries, tidal mudflats, and inland freshwater bodies. They are found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

In recent decades, their range has expanded northward in Europe. They are now regular visitors to the UK, with established breeding populations along southern and eastern coasts (Norfolk is an excellent area for spotting), and are occasionally seen in eastern North America.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little Egret. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Aruba Gibraltar Guam Micronesia Northern Mariana Islands Saudi Arabia Slovenia

Species that pass through the area during migration

Afghanistan Denmark Palestine

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Little Egret demonstrates considerable agility in its foraging techniques, employing various hunting methods and actively chasing small fish. Its ability to wade through shallow waters and use its feet to stir up prey indicates good manoeuvrability.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong, the Little Egret possesses adequate strength for its size. It can carry nesting materials and defend its territory during breeding season. However, its slender build suggests it's not among the strongest of birds.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Little Egrets show remarkable adaptability, having expanded their range significantly in recent decades. They inhabit various wetland habitats and adjust their diet based on local food availability. Their ability to thrive in different climates further demonstrates their adaptiveness.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally social birds, Little Egrets become territorial during breeding season. They're not known for exceptional aggression, but will defend their nests and young. Their moderate aggression is typical for their family.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Little Egrets display good endurance, capable of long-distance migrations and spending considerable time wading and foraging. Their ability to adapt to various climates and habitats suggests decent stamina, though they're not known for exceptional feats of endurance.

Little Egrets primarily feed on small fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates. They also consume crustaceans, molluscs, and insects.

Their diet varies seasonally and geographically, adapting to local food availability. They often use their feet to stir up sediment, flushing out hidden prey and may half-run-half-fly in pursuit of prey in the shallows.

Little Egrets are often seen wading in shallow water, using their feet to stir up prey. They employ various hunting techniques, including standing still and waiting for prey or actively chasing small fish.

These birds are generally social, often roosting and feeding in groups, but become territorial during the breeding season.

Little Egrets are generally quiet birds. During the breeding season, they produce various croaking and gurgling sounds at the colony.

When alarmed, they may emit a harsh, guttural 'ark' call. In flight, they occasionally make a soft 'kuik' sound. They also call when landing and while feeding and are frequently heard as they take off after being disturbed.

Little Egrets typically breed in colonies, often with other heron species. Pair formation begins in spring, with elaborate courtship displays involving head-bobbing and plume-raising.

Nests are stick platform structures usually built in trees or shrubs near water. Females lay 3-5 pale blue-green eggs, and both parents share incubation duties.

Eggs hatch after about 21-25 days. Chicks are altricial and fledge at approximately 40-45 days, becoming independent shortly after.

The Little Egret typically lives for 15 to 20 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While the Little Egret is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and degradation, particularly in wetland areas. Climate change may affect its distribution.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, which benefit this species and many other water birds.

Look for Little Egrets in shallow waters of coastal areas, estuaries, and inland wetlands
Observe their distinctive yellow feet, which contrast with their black legs
Watch for their active foraging behaviour, including foot-stirring to flush out prey
In the UK, they are increasingly common along southern and eastern coasts

Main predators include large birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, as well as mammals like foxes and raccoons, particularly targeting eggs and chicks.

Little Egrets were once hunted extensively for their plumes, which were used in the fashion industry.
They have rapidly expanded their European range over the past few decades.
Their yellow feet may act as a lure to attract fish in murky water.

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Do you get Little Egrets in Scotland?

Little Egrets remain relatively uncommon in Scotland, although they are becoming increasingly numerous. These birds are a regular sight at places like the Montrose Basin and Solway Firth.

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Bird Attributes Explained

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Understanding the Ratings:

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Endurance

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Do you get Little Egrets in Scotland?

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References