# Little Egret (*Egretta garzetta*) The Little Egret is a beautiful white bird with long legs and a sharp beak. It loves to stand in shallow water, looking for fish and frogs to eat. Watching them catch their food is really fun! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Little Egret](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aigrette_garzette_au_lac_sud_de_Tunis_%28site_RAMSAR%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: El Golli Mohamed, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aigrette_garzette_au_lac_sud_de_Tunis_%28site_RAMSAR%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Little Egret has striking pristine white plumage, distinct black legs, bright yellow feet, and a slender black bill. During breeding season, it sports elegant lacy plumes on its back and chest, and two long plumes on its nape. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Ardeidae - **Genus:** Egretta ## Interesting facts - A Little Egret chick can stand and beg for food just days after hatching! - Little Egrets once had their plumes prized as hat decorations, nearly leading to their decline! - These birds often feed in groups, like a feathery fishing squad! - They build messy stick nests high in trees, often with many other egrets. ## Special abilities - **Water Dancer:** Little Egret can wiggle its bright yellow feet in the water to flush out hidden fish and small creatures for an easy meal. - **Plume Power:** Little Egret grows stunning lacy plumes during breeding season that help attract a mate, showing off its health. - **Precision Striker:** Little Egret has a long, pointed bill and quick reflexes, allowing it to snatch fast-moving fish from the water with ease. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 55-65 cm - **Wingspan:** 90-105 cm - **Weight:** 0.35-0.55 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 21-25 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding This bird loves to eat small fish, frogs, and insects it finds in the shallow waters! - **Primary Foods:** small fish, frogs, aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — Hunts small fish in shallow waters. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Preys on eggs, chicks, and sometimes adult egrets. - **Shelter:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Nests in mixed colonies, benefiting from shared vigilance. - **Parasitizes:** Bird Nematode (*Contracaecum spiculigerum*) — Parasitizes the digestive system, affecting health. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Protected](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/protected): Protected status signifies a species or area is safeguarded by legal measures and conservation efforts to prevent harm or loss. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Little Egret? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Little Egret? 55-65 cm ### What is Little Egret's wingspan? 90-105 cm ### How much does Little Egret weigh? 0.35-0.55 kg ### How long does Little Egret live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Little Egret move? 45 km/h ### What does Little Egret eat? This bird loves to eat small fish, frogs, and insects it finds in the shallow waters! ### Where is Little Egret usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/migliarino-san-rossore-and-massaciuccoli-regional-park) — IT · Park - [Parc Natural de l’Albufera, Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albufera-natural-park-valencia) — Comunitat Valenciana, ES · Park - [Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tier-und-freizeitpark-thule) — Niedersachsen, DE · Zoo - [Biosphärenregion Berchtesgadener Land](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berchtesgadener-land-biosphere-region) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maspalomas-dunes-special-nature-reserve) — Canarias, ES · Park - [Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aiguamolls-de-lemporda-natural-park) — Cataluña, ES · Park [View all places to see Little Egret](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/little-egret) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Little Egret: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-egret)