LITTLE EGRET
Egretta garzetta
DESCRIPTION
The Little Egret is a graceful white waterbird with a slender black bill, long dark legs and yellow feet. During breeding season adults develop long, delicate plumes on the head and back. Despite its name, it is a skilled and energetic hunter.
QUICK FACTS
• Little Egrets are smaller and more lightly built than Great Egrets.
• They have a slender black bill and yellow feet.
• They can be very active hunters rather than simply standing and waiting for prey.
• Their long toes help them move through shallow water and soft mud.
• During breeding season they grow elegant ornamental plumes.
• They may spread or flick their wings while hunting to help disturb or locate prey.
• Their quick movements can send water spraying in every direction.
WHERE IT LIVES
Little Egrets are found across northern and eastern Australia. They live around freshwater wetlands, floodplains, billabongs, rivers, mangroves, tidal flats and other shallow waterways.
WHAT IT EATS
Little Egrets mainly eat small fish, frogs, crustaceans, aquatic insects and other small animals. They often hunt actively, running through shallow water and using their feet to disturb prey before striking quickly with their bill.
PETE'S PHOTO STORY
I love photographing birds when there is some action rather than just capturing them standing still. This Little Egret was hunting in the shallows when it suddenly spread its wings and charged through the water. The splashing water and those beautiful white wings made the moment. I managed to catch it just as the wings opened, freezing an instant that happened almost too quickly to see.