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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXXVIII
Field-journal plate: Little Egret
The Little Egret plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXXVIII

Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

Ardeidae · Taxon 4943

Length55–65 cm
Wingspan88–106 cm
Weight350–550 g

Field marks

  1. Small, slender heron with a long neck and compact body
  2. Usually all-white plumage; occasional dark morph is bluish slate-gray
  3. Long, thin, dark bill
  4. Yellow iris with dark lores
  5. Long blackish legs with contrasting yellow feet
  6. Long folded wings taper toward a short tail

HabitatOpen fresh, brackish, and coastal wetlands, including lakeshores, rivers, marshes, estuaries, lagoons, mudflats, mangroves, flooded fields, and other shallow waters rich in small fish.

BehaviorForages in shallow water by standing, stalking, running, or stirring the bottom with its feet, then striking at small aquatic prey. Often occurs singly or in loose groups and nests or roosts communally.

Palette

whiteblackyellowslate gray