Little Egret
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
At a Glance
This Old World counterpart to our Snowy Egret was formerly only an accidental visitor to North America, with only one record before 1980. Since 1980 it has been recorded several times along our Atlantic Coast during the warmer months. These strays probably make the crossing from West Africa to the Caribbean, and then migrate north on our side of the Atlantic.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Long-legged Waders
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Saltwater Wetlands
Range & Identification
Description
25" Very similar to Snowy Egret, with black legs and yellow feet. May appear to have thicker bill, grayer lores. In breeding plumage, has two long, thin plumes on back of head.
Size
About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull, About the size of a Heron
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
Usually silent. Some calls similar to Snowy Egret. Breeding individuals give rapid gobbling sounds.
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