Home › Aves › Ardeidae › Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
SPECIES PROFILE
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Egretta
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Africa Europe
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Coastal wetlands marshes estuaries
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Ciconiiformes
FAMILY
Ardeidae
GENUS
Egretta
📋 Description
SIZE
55-65 cm long 350-550 g
COLORATION
White with slender black bill yellow feet
ADAPTATIONS
Long legs and neck for shallow water wading
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Coastal wetlands marshes estuaries
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Africa Europe
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-5 eggs in tree or reed nests incubated 21-25 days
DIET DETAILS
Fish crustaceans insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss coastal development
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Graceful Waders: Little Egrets stalk with 400-gram bodies catching 100 grams of fish daily in Chilika's shallows. Their yellow feet attract prey.
2
Global Travelers: These egrets cover 8000 sq km in Pulicat's wetlands. Pollution threatens their feeding grounds.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Chilika Lake in Odisha coastal wetlands host little egret sightings
Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu estuaries offer little egret sightings
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu wetlands have little egret sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season concentrates prey for spotting egrets
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch little egrets wading in shallow waters at sunrise
