Egretta garzetta garzetta

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Little egret
French : Aigrette garzette

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ardeidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a length of 65 cm for a weight up to 710 g. Plumage white with ornamental plumes on back, nape and breast. Two long and thick plumes on nape. Long black bill. Subspecies with dull blue cere, black legs with yellow feet.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in most of Europe, subsaharan Africa and Asia, east to Korea and Philippines. Species also found from Indonesia to Australia. Lives in open natural and artificial wetlands, with brackish, salt or freshwater.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has been persecuted to near extinction in parts of its range for the plume trade. Now populations are increasing. Vulnerable to habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Herons and relatives” page