Little Egret

Afrikaans name: Kleinwitreier

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

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	59	Egretta garzetta garzetta
2nd	59	Egretta garzetta
3rd	59	Egretta garzetta
4th	59	Egretta garzetta
5th	67	Egretta garzetta
6th	67	Egretta garzetta
7th	432	Egretta garzetta

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	59	Little Egret
2nd	59	Little Egret
3rd	59	Little Egret
4th	59	Little Egret
5th	67	Little Egret
6th	67	Little Egret
7th	432	Little Egret

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	59	Klein-wit-reier
2nd	59	Klein Witreier
3rd	59	Klein Witreier
4th	59	Klein Witreier
5th	67	Kleinwitreier
6th	67	Kleinwitreier
7th	432	Kleinwitreier

References and further reading

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

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

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

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 130

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 177

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

Ian Sinclair s 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 48

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

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 1 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 4

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 - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 172

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

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds