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Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameEgretta garzetta FamilyBitterns and herons (Ardeidae) OverviewThe little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its colonization followed naturally from a range expansion intro western and northern France in previous decades. It is now at home on numerous south coast sites, both as a breeding species and as a winter visitor. It is included on the Amber List as rare breeding species. Where to see themA recent colonist, it is most commonly found along the south coast, and on parts of the east coast. The estuaries of south Devon and Cornwall; Poole Harbour and Chichester Harbour hold some of the largest concentrations and birds can be seen right round to North Norfolk. When to see themAll year round, although numbers incease in autumn and winter as birds arrive from the Continent. What they eatFish Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. DistributionFind out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Little egret  Little egret in flight Similar birdsHelp the Little egretJoin today and help us continue our conservation work to keep these birds safe. |
View of drainage dyke and mill, RSPB Berney Marshes and Breydon Water reserve - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 6006080-00036-002)
Little egret profile - Katie Fuller
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)