Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Little Egret, Ebro Delta, Spain, November 2001 - click for larger image

The Little Egret forms a superspecies with the Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) with the Little Egret being present in the Old World while the Snowy Egret is found in the New World.

It is partially migratory with more northern populations migrating south during the northern winter.

Little Egret, Hazelwood Marshes, Suffolk, England, September 2005 - click for larger image

They are found in a wide variety of open wetland type of habitat where they feed during the day on a variety of animals such as insects, frogs, reptiles, etc.. They use a variety of hunting techniques including foot stirring with its bright yellow feet which seems to attract prey within the range of its bill.

The 6th photo shows a Little Egret that seemed to be attracting its prey by bill snapping on the surface of the water.

There is an illustration in HBW, Volume 1, Page 408.

There is an excellent page showing the differences between Little Egret and Snowy Egret at Ocean Wanderers.

Although the Little Egret is rarely found in Scotland, the 4th photo was taken at Aberlady Bay, Lothian on 16th June 2002.

Little Egret, Aberlady Bay, Lothian, Scotland, June 2002 - click for larger image

Little Egret, Levington Lagoon, Suffolk, England, September 2005 - click for larger image

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