The little egret is a small, white heron that feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Once a very rare visitor from the Mediterranean, little egrets are now a common sight around the coasts of southern England and Wales as they expand their range, possibly due to increasing temperatures caused by climate change. It first bred in the UK on Brownsea Island, Dorset, in 1996, and has been moving northwards ever since; it was recorded as breeding in Berkshire for the first time in 2007.
This is the smallest and most slender of our egrets and has a long neck. It can launch itself fast and accurately to use its sharp bill to catch the insects, small fish and amphibians that make up most of its diet.
In the mating season, it displays two long feathers at the nape of the neck. It nests in colonies, often with other members of the Ardeidae family, in forests on river banks and among the thick vegetation surrounding marshlands.
Little Egrets use their bright yellow feet to stir up the water and catch fish.
They were once hunted for their beautiful feathers, which were used in fashion.
These birds can stand perfectly still for a long time, waiting to catch their prey.
In flight, they tuck their neck in, creating a unique S-shape.
Little Egrets have a wingspan of up to 95 cm, despite their small body size.
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