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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Little Egret

Afrikaans name: Kleinwitreier

Little Egret at Amanzimtoti

Little Egret

Photo © Steven Herbert

Egretta garzetta

Despite the name of Little Egret this bird is definitely not the smallest of the herons and egrets. It grows to a height of around 60 cm and weighs 400 to 500 grams. They have an all white plumage with a slender black bill and yellow feet. During the breeding season the adults grow plumes on their head and neck.

Little Egrets eat a variety of foods including fish, frogs, small reptiles and crustaceans. They normally do their hunting in shallow water where they either keep still to try and ambush their prey, or they shuffle their feet or run to try and flush out potential prey.

Video © Mark Barkan, Avibirds.com

Pairs make their nest out of sticks. It may be placed in a tree or bush, or even in a reedbed. They normally nest in colonies, often in close proximity to other species. Between 3 and 5 eggs are laid and are tended to by both adults.

Little Egrets can be found in suitable habitat across most of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as southern Europe, southern Asia and the Middle East. In South Africa it can be found in most areas with water habitats. They are not shy and can often be seen stalking prey along the waters edge.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

EditionRoberts nrScientific name
1st59Egretta garzetta garzetta
2nd59Egretta garzetta
3rd59Egretta garzetta
4th59Egretta garzetta
5th67Egretta garzetta
6th67Egretta garzetta
7th432Egretta garzetta

EditionRoberts nrEnglish name
1st59Little Egret
2nd59Little Egret
3rd59Little Egret
4th59Little Egret
5th67Little Egret
6th67Little Egret
7th432Little Egret

EditionRoberts nrAfrikaans name
1st59Klein-wit-reier
2nd59Klein Witreier
3rd59Klein Witreier
4th59Klein Witreier
5th67Kleinwitreier
6th67Kleinwitreier
7th432Kleinwitreier

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 32

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 36

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 44

Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 354

The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Published: 1984 - Page: 126

The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 102

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 21

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 130

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 51

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 62

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 58

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 49

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 49

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 35

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 30

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 176

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 23

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 72

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 72

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 54

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 52

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 28

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 6

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 89

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 9

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 16

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 30

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 18

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 22

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 40

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 94

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 172

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 172

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 37

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