It is a stylized medium-sized white heron, its bill is dark, as are its legs, and it has yellow feet. Its nuptial plumage includes two characteristically long feathers.
Present throughout the year, it is strongly influenced by the existence of nearby breeding colonies, noting a progressive increase in the summer population that reaches its peak in the postnuptial migratory passage, after which the population begins to decline.
As it is white it is easily seen and observed. It is not difficult to find it in the port / marina in Roquetas de Mar and even in the ‘Laja’.
Differs from other white herons in the region by dark legs with contrasting yellow feet and toes. Bill always dark, and lores grey or reddish (breeding birds). Slender and elegant build, as opposed to Cattle Egret. Only roughly half the size of Great White Egret. In flight, note much quicker wing-beats of Little Egret and that the wings of Great White seems to be positioned more at the front of the body. Skulking, foraging behaviour with less erect posture than Great White, also when moving about. Legs less protruding beyond tail in flight than in GWE.
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