non-breeding

non-breeding breeding European distribution

Identification

The Little Egret is more delicate-looking than any other heron-like bird which occurs in Britain. It is much smaller than a Grey Heron, with snowy white plumage, a long pointed black bill and black legs with strikingly yellow feet.

Habitat

Feeds by the edges of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, brackish lagoons and saltpans. Breeds in waterside trees and bushes.

Behaviour

The plumes which are present in spring serve to emphasise the threat and appeasement gestures given at the nest.

Migration

Most of the European population migrates west and south, mostly to north Africa but also, to an increasing degree, to the european side of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts. After fledging, juveniles disperse almost randomly from July to September. This movement is presumably governed by prevailing feeding conditions.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Little Egret is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Eltham, London 09/02/2010	Eltham, London 09/02/2010	Cley, Norfolk 05/12/2009	Sidcup, London 07/02/2010	Sidcup, London 07/02/2010
Weston, Hants 18/12/2009	Weston, Hants 18/12/2009	Alphington, Devon 06/02/2010	Alphington, Devon 05/02/2010	Crantock, Cornwall 28/09/2008

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Little Egret breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Albania
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Britain
Bulgaria
Canary Islands
Croatia
Czech Republic
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Macedonia
Moldova
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Spain
Turkey
Ukraine

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	History repeats - once again RSPB fights the cause of the Little Egret	Tuesday 20th August 2002
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