Little Egret

Description:

The Little Egret is a "small white egret with dark grey-black legs, black bill and a bright yellow naked face." (Birdlife Australia)

Habitat:

Dashing about in the water at the Mankajarra Wetlands. This is towards the end of the dry season and in the build up to the wet season. Although the water level was low at the time, (it got much lower see pic 4 taken three weeks after the Little Egret), there was still water and food due to the large amount of rain from the previous wet season (see pic 3 taken April 2017 just after the wet season) . Mankajarra has stands of Paperbark Trees (Melaleuca sp.) and other plants along the edges of the water. When the water level is high, the trees are in the water (see pic 3) and the birds have many more places to hide in and hunt from.

Notes:

Not sure if I have ever heard one of these critters but they are very active when hunting for food!