(date on 2nd picture) |
Nutcracker (talk | contribs) (more details) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
;[[:Category:Egretta|Egretta]] garzetta | ;[[:Category:Egretta|Egretta]] garzetta | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | A small white heron with black legs and bill and yellow feet. In breeding plumage it | + | A small white heron with black legs and bill, and yellow feet. In breeding plumage it has two long slender plumes from the back of the head and plumes on the back and breast. Most of the year, the lores are bluish-grey, but in pre-breeding display they become bright yellow, orange, or even flushed bright red in excited birds. In winter plumage, the plumes are lost. Juveniles differ in having no plumes, and drabber bare part colours, with dingy dark grey-green legs with more extensive dull blackish-yellow on the lower legs, a dark grey bill with a paler base, and dull grey lores. |
====Variation==== | ====Variation==== | ||
| − | Most areas with Little Egret contains birds with yellow feet, but the | + | Most areas with Little Egret contains birds with yellow feet, but the tropical east Asian subspecies ''E. g. nigripes'' has black feet with just yellow soles. |
====Similar species==== | ====Similar species==== | ||
| − | On | + | On Little Egret, the upper edge of the bare facial skin is straigt from eye to bill, while in [[Chinese Egret]] that line goes down before going back up<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. See also [[Snowy Egret]] for comparison of that species with Little Egret<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[Image:Little_Egret_by_Cristian_Mihai.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Cristian_Mihai|Cristian_Mihai}}<br />Chiajna (Ilfov), [[Romania]], May 2008]] | [[Image:Little_Egret_by_Cristian_Mihai.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Cristian_Mihai|Cristian_Mihai}}<br />Chiajna (Ilfov), [[Romania]], May 2008]] | ||
| − | From southern [[Europe]], though [[Asia]] to [[Korea]], [[Japan]], and [[Indonesia]] to [[New Guinea]], as well in northern and eastern [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand | + | From western and southern [[Europe]], though southern [[Asia]] to [[Korea]], [[Japan]], and [[Indonesia]] to [[New Guinea]], as well in northern and eastern [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]]. |
| − | In recent years has | + | In recent years it has increased substantially in western Europe, with breeding first recorded in [[Great Britain]] in 1996, rising to around 100 pairs in 2001 and 900 pairs in 2012. First breeding in [[Ireland]], [[Austria]] and [[Poland]] took place in 1997. This is largely a recolonisation, as the species was abundant in Britain in mediaeval times, being popular on the menu of large banquets; it became extinct in this region by the 16th century due to a combination of over-hunting and colder winters in the "Little Ice Age"<sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup>. In Britain Little Egrets can now be seen on estuaries and lowland pools almost anywhere except for central and northern [[Scotland]]. The largest numbers, often several hundred, occur from [[Cornwall]] to West [[Sussex]], with numbers reaching a peak in autumn when many immature birds arrive on post-breeding dispersal from further south. |
| − | In | + | In north [[Africa]] occurs from the [[Cape Verde Islands]] and coastal [[Mauritania]] to [[Tunisia]] and throughout the Nile Delta and valley. It is also widespread south of the Sahara, from [[Senegal]] to [[Somalia]] and south to [[South Africa]]. |
| − | Most | + | Most European and west Asian birds migrate to sub-Saharan Africa but others winter around the Mediterranean, and small numbers as far north as southern Scotland. Post-breeding dispersal takes many birds north of main breeding range in late summer and autumn. |
Recorded as a vagrant to most European countries out of usual range north and east to [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Norway]], [[Latvia]] and [[Belarus]], also recorded in the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]] (first breeding in 1995). | Recorded as a vagrant to most European countries out of usual range north and east to [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Norway]], [[Latvia]] and [[Belarus]], also recorded in the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]] (first breeding in 1995). | ||
| − | + | It has also recently (since 1994) colonised the Western Hemisphere, with a breeding colony on [[Barbados]], and has occurred with several reports from [[Trinidad]] to [[Martinique]] and [[Puerto Rico]], and with vagrants north through the eastern [[United States]] and [[Canada]] with records in [[Delaware]], [[New Brunswick]], [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Newfoundland]]. | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | The nominate subspecies ''E. g. garzetta'' occurs from Europe to Japan and in Africa, the subspecies ''E. g. nigripes'' from the Philippines to New Guinea, and ''E. g. immaculata'' in northern and eastern Australia and New Zealand. Some authors formerly considered the [[Western Reef Egret]], [[Pacific Reef Egret]] and [[Dimorphic Egret]] to be subspecies of this species<sup>[[#References|[5]]]</sup>. | |
| − | + | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Slow-flowing rivers, shallow lakes and flooded fields, also on brackish lagoons, estuaries and along shorelines. | Slow-flowing rivers, shallow lakes and flooded fields, also on brackish lagoons, estuaries and along shorelines. | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#[http://secrb.trinidadbirding.com/idlittlesnowyegret.html An identification essay] comparing Little and Snowy Egrets | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2580284 Birdforum thread] discussing id of Little and Chinese Egrets. |
| − | # | + | #[http://secrb.trinidadbirding.com/idlittlesnowyegret.html An identification essay] comparing Little and Snowy Egrets. |
| + | #Bourne, W. R. P. (2003). Fred Stubbs, Egrets, Brewes and climatic change. ''British Birds'' 96: 332–339. | ||
| + | #{{Ref-HBWVol1}} | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Egretta+garzetta}} | {{GSearch|Egretta+garzetta}} | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
{{Video|Little_Egret}} | {{Video|Little_Egret}} | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Egretta]] [[Category:Videos]][[Category:Bird Songs]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Egretta]] [[Category:Videos]][[Category:Bird Songs]] | ||
Revision as of 11:30, 26 October 2014
- Egretta garzetta
Identification
A small white heron with black legs and bill, and yellow feet. In breeding plumage it has two long slender plumes from the back of the head and plumes on the back and breast. Most of the year, the lores are bluish-grey, but in pre-breeding display they become bright yellow, orange, or even flushed bright red in excited birds. In winter plumage, the plumes are lost. Juveniles differ in having no plumes, and drabber bare part colours, with dingy dark grey-green legs with more extensive dull blackish-yellow on the lower legs, a dark grey bill with a paler base, and dull grey lores.
Variation
Most areas with Little Egret contains birds with yellow feet, but the tropical east Asian subspecies E. g. nigripes has black feet with just yellow soles.
Similar species
On Little Egret, the upper edge of the bare facial skin is straigt from eye to bill, while in Chinese Egret that line goes down before going back up[2]. See also Snowy Egret for comparison of that species with Little Egret[3].
Distribution
From western and southern Europe, though southern Asia to Korea, Japan, and Indonesia to New Guinea, as well in northern and eastern Australia, and New Zealand.
In recent years it has increased substantially in western Europe, with breeding first recorded in Great Britain in 1996, rising to around 100 pairs in 2001 and 900 pairs in 2012. First breeding in Ireland, Austria and Poland took place in 1997. This is largely a recolonisation, as the species was abundant in Britain in mediaeval times, being popular on the menu of large banquets; it became extinct in this region by the 16th century due to a combination of over-hunting and colder winters in the "Little Ice Age"[4]. In Britain Little Egrets can now be seen on estuaries and lowland pools almost anywhere except for central and northern Scotland. The largest numbers, often several hundred, occur from Cornwall to West Sussex, with numbers reaching a peak in autumn when many immature birds arrive on post-breeding dispersal from further south.
In north Africa occurs from the Cape Verde Islands and coastal Mauritania to Tunisia and throughout the Nile Delta and valley. It is also widespread south of the Sahara, from Senegal to Somalia and south to South Africa.
Most European and west Asian birds migrate to sub-Saharan Africa but others winter around the Mediterranean, and small numbers as far north as southern Scotland. Post-breeding dispersal takes many birds north of main breeding range in late summer and autumn.
Recorded as a vagrant to most European countries out of usual range north and east to Iceland and the Faroe Islands, Norway, Latvia and Belarus, also recorded in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands (first breeding in 1995).
It has also recently (since 1994) colonised the Western Hemisphere, with a breeding colony on Barbados, and has occurred with several reports from Trinidad to Martinique and Puerto Rico, and with vagrants north through the eastern United States and Canada with records in Delaware, New Brunswick, Maine, Massachusetts, and Newfoundland.
Taxonomy
The nominate subspecies E. g. garzetta occurs from Europe to Japan and in Africa, the subspecies E. g. nigripes from the Philippines to New Guinea, and E. g. immaculata in northern and eastern Australia and New Zealand. Some authors formerly considered the Western Reef Egret, Pacific Reef Egret and Dimorphic Egret to be subspecies of this species[5].
Habitat
Slow-flowing rivers, shallow lakes and flooded fields, also on brackish lagoons, estuaries and along shorelines.
Behaviour
Breeds colonially in trees near water. Forms communal roosts where birds from a large area gather at dusk.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Egretta garzetta (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Birdforum thread discussing id of Little and Chinese Egrets.
- An identification essay comparing Little and Snowy Egrets.
- Bourne, W. R. P. (2003). Fred Stubbs, Egrets, Brewes and climatic change. British Birds 96: 332–339.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334108
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Little Egret. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Little_Egret
External Links
