Small white egret. Alternate Adult: all white plumage, several plumes including two or three white occipital plumes, pale eye and dark bill. Reddish lores and feet. Black legs. Basic Adult: similar to alternate except no plumes, gray-blue lores, gray at base of bill, and yellow feet. Juvenile: like basic but more pale grayish on bill, gray-green legs. Dark morph (rare): all dark plumage, sometimes with white throat, very similar to Western Reef Heron, best identified by bill shape. Little Egret differs from immature Little-blue Heron by black legs with yellow feet and lack of dark wingtips. Little Egret differs from Snowy Egret by its pointy head and two or three occipital plumes.

Length: 60 (cm) Wingspan: 91 (cm)

Habitat:

Most shallow bodies of water; flooded fields; rocky coastline.

Behavior:

Highly social. Uses many techniques to catch prey including spreading its wings to startle fish, luring fish with bread crumbs or following cattle that stir up prey. Active; often running or flapping wings.

Feeding:

Diet consists of small fish, amphibians, crustaceans and mollusks.