Little egret | Facts & Information

Origin

Lifestyle is closely related to the presence of water. When not fishing, the egret rests on the banks, in reed beds or in dwarf trees and on the water's edge (especially Willows).

In Romania, the little egret is found exclusively in the Danube Delta.

In Europe, the little egret lives in the south-eastern areas. In winter the bird migrates to the Mediterranean Sea and even further south to Central Africa. Subspecies of Egretta garzetta are also found in Southern Asia (Indonesia, New Guinea), but also in Australia or New Zealand.

Feeding Egrets

The diet is represented mainly by small fish, but it does not refuse even amphibians, small reptiles, insects or crustaceans.

Features Egrets

The little egret has a length between 55 and 60 cm, with a wingspan of 88-100 cm. It is a light bird, weighs no more than 600 grams

The bird is recognized by its immaculate white plumage and the pair of fine feathers that leave the nape (called egrets). These feathers, along with others ancient and precious, on the chest and back, appear only during the breeding season, being present in both sexes.

The legs are long, black in color, the foot is yellow. The beak is long and thin, sharp, measuring about 80 mm, black in color. During mating, the loose skin between the beak and the eyes turns red or blue. The neck is long, sinuous and very elegant.

The little egret is distinguished from the great egret (Ardea alba) by its smaller waist and yellow foot. At first glance the two species may seem identical, but by these signs they can be easily distinguished.

Egret lives in mixed colonies, in close proximity to water. It is a bird that feeds exclusively on aquatic prey. It hunts only during the day, being dependent on light. The egret walks through the shallow and clear waters, staring at the bottom of the water.

With fast and extremely precise movements, the prey is pierced by the beak like a spear. Sight is the most developed sense of this bird. Clear water is a primary condition for the egret to fish.

Breeding Egrets

The little egret is a monogamous bird. The nest is built by the female with materials procured by the male. In general, they build their nest in the same areas (reeds, low trees, shrubs) with other egrets or other water birds.

In April, the female lays 4-6 blue eggs, which will be hatched by both partners. After 3 weeks the chicks will hatch from the eggs. They will spend the next month only in the nest, during which time their feathers will grow.

The little egret is a bird of great importance for the aquifauna of Romania. Bird enthusiasts are impressed every time on a wide channel of the Delta appears in their field of vision this very elegant and beautiful bird.

In October egrets migrate to warmer lands. Very rarely, some specimens remain and winter in our country, but they are strongly threatened by cold, being very sensitive to low temperatures.