Tuesday 19 January 2021

Wild Bird Wednesday 443 - Little Egret

These pictures of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small and active hunter in wetlands over much of Australia - although it is (possibly not surprisingly) absent from the drier parts of this country.  There were five birds in a group feeding together - possibly all from a breeding colony not that far away - but I done know how many of those birds are included in these pictures.

Although not a 100% reliable field mark, the black bill on these birds is a clear indiction that we are looking at Little Egrets rather than one of the other white egret species.

These pictures were taken through a veil of vegetation, and I am surprised at how well they have come out.  It was back to good old fashioned manual focus for these shots - as in many cases the auto-focus would 'grab' the vegetation in the foreground.  

The birds seemed to be feeding on tiny crustaceans for some form rather than fish.  In some of the shots you can see the breeding plumage of these birds.





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12 comments:

  1. A handsome bird, indeed. I am sure you are aware that this species has mounted a successful invasion of Great Britain. Egrets in general are great colonizers. Great Egret seems poised to populate Britain in good numbers too, and Cattle Egret now dominates much of North America, even becoming a summer and fall visitor to Ontario with increasingly regularity.

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  2. Fantastic! Looks a bit like a ballet dancer!

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  3. Love that spiked plumage. A handsome bird indeed.

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  4. Lovely plumage...Looks like formal attire for Egrets..Nice pictures Stewart..

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  5. Beautiful photographs Stewart. yes we now have Little Egreat breeding all over Ireland and have seen various Great Egret this year so hopefully they will decide to settle here also. Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have a good week ahead.

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  6. Hari OM
    Delightful - and I love that last shot - true glamour!!! YAM xx

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  7. Splendid breeding plumage captured as the wind added to the action. Very graceful and beautiful egrets.

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  8. Delightful photos! Thanks for hosting.

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  9. Love the feathers blowing in the wind, very handsome birds. Hope all is well, cheers Diane

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  10. Egrets, large or small, are beautiful birds! So graceful...

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