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Egretta garzetta garzetta
The adult Little Egret is 55–65 cm long with an 88 - 106 cm wingspan, and weighs 350 - 550 grams. Its plumage is all white. The subspecies garzetta has long black legs with yellow feet and a slim black bill. In the breeding season, the adult has two long nape plumes and gauzy plumes on the back and breast, and the bare skin between the bill and eyes becomes red or blue. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but have greenish-black legs and duller yellow feet. Has yellow feet and a bare patch of grey-green skin between the bill and eyes. Globally, the Little Egret is not listed as a threatened species.
It is the Old World counterpart to the very similar New World Snowy Egret. Depending on authority, two or three subspecies of Little Egret are currently accepted. Egretta garzetta garzetta – Europe, Africa, and most of Asia except the southeast; Egretta garzetta nigripes – Indonesia east to New Guinea; Egretta garzetta immaculata – Australia and (non-breeding) New Zealand. . In warmer locations, most birds are permanent residents; northern populations, including many European birds, migrate to Africa and southern Asia.
Spotted on Jul 18, 2013
Submitted on Jul 18, 2013
