Little Egret Identification
Its scientific name is 'Egretta garzetta', from the family Ardeidae (order Pelecaniformes)
What I look like
The Little Egret is part of the large wading birds with their long legs, long neck, and long beak.
It is of medium size, smaller than the Grey Heron.
Its plumage is white like other wading birds (Cattle Egret and Great Egret).
But it is notably recognized by its black legs and yellow toes.
Its beak is black, dagger-shaped with lores (the space between the eye and the base of the beak) that change color.
They are blue-gray most of the time…
But turn reddish during displays.
In breeding plumage, long fine plumes can be seen on the nape, the back of the head, and the back.
It can be confused with the Cattle Egret, but the latter has a yellow beak, a rounder head with thick plumage under the chin.
It is easily distinguished from the Cattle Egret in breeding plumage, as the latter is white with orange tinges.
It can also be confused with the Great Egret, but the latter is larger, about the size of a Grey Heron with a very long neck.
The Great Egret is recognized by its yellow beak in non-breeding plumage or in juveniles.
The Great Egret is very recognizable during its breeding displays where it shows off very large plumes spread like large fans.
My songs, my calls
The Little Egret is not often heard except in colonies where it is more talkative to defend its territory.
Its flight call sounds like a rasping sigh. "arrrrhhh"
The Great Egret, which it resembles, makes rare dull and rolling croaks "kt-kr-kt-kra-kta".
The Cattle Egret, which also resembles it, sometimes makes monosyllabic and low croaks "kta" "èg" in flight.
How I behave
The Little Egret is often seen in small groups.
In flight, it retracts its neck like the heron.
Its long, broad, and arched wings allow for a wide flight with slow and powerful wingbeats.
To differentiate it from the Cattle Egret and Great Egret in flight, look at the legs…
The legs moderately protrude in the Cattle Egret and the Little Egret, but the latter has yellow toes.
While the Cattle Egret has dark toes.
The Great Egret has long dark legs that protrude significantly in flight. With its large wings, its flight is more majestic.
How I reproduce
The Little Egret nests in colonies.
During the courtship display, male and female ruffle their feathers and offer twigs to each other before mating.
It builds its nest in trees and dense bushes.
It produces only one brood per year of 3 to 5 blue-green eggs. Here, a juvenile.
Its nest resembles a platform made of fine twigs, built by the pair.
What I eat
It primarily feeds on fish and frogs.
It finds its food in shallow or flooded areas.
It moves through its fishing area with a quick pace and can stir the bottom with a foot to capture buried prey.
It sometimes chases very mobile prey.
It is less attracted to terrestrial environments for feeding, unlike the Great Egret or Cattle Egret (often near livestock).
Where to find me
The Little Egret lives in marshy lakes, shallow rivers, and lagoons.
In Europe, it is often migratory and will winter in Africa.
It can be sedentary as in France, Spain, and the Mediterranean basin.
It can live about 9 years.