Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

Increasing resident, wanderer spreading inland of Britain & to the north of England into Scotland. Following colonization of 900 pairs.

Also breeds in Southern & Central Europe & Africa.

Adults in breeding plumage have a crest & plumes.

The body is mainly white.

The legs are black with yellow feet.

In Winter, they lack the plumes & crest.

Juveniles have a pale base to their bill.

In flight, they are smaller than Great White Egrets but the black bill rules out Cattle Egrets.

The call sometimes is various croaking and bubbling calls at their breeding colonies and produce a harsh alarm call when disturbed.