Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

(E. g. garzetta)

Armenian Name:	Սպիտակ փոքր տառեղ
Species Status:	Threatened Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 4 for Little Egret and other similar species

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	53-65 cm, Wing Span:88-95 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 16.
Adult (Breeding):	Conspicuous loose plumes behind head, from back over tail, and from lower breast. Prominent black bill and legs, yellow feet. Lores yellow.
Adult (Non-breeding):	Lacks plumes and has dark lores.
Juvenile:	Lacks plumes on head, back, and breast. Lores blue-gray.
Similar Species:	Differs from Great White Egret by markedly smaller size and black bill; from Cattle Egret by black bill and legs.
Behavior:	Rarely solitary, seen in flocks of other wading birds. Avoids dense vegetation; hunts in open. Flies with neck folded into S-shape against back.
Habitat:	Shallow wetlands, fish ponds.
Food:	Fish, amphibians, insects.
Nest:	Platform of sticks or reeds in tree or reedbeds.
Eggs:	46 mm, 3-5, green-blue.