An entirely white medium-sized bird, the little egret is the liveliest hunter among the herons.

Statistics
Body length: 56-61cm

Physical description
An entirely white, medium-sized heron with a slender, straight black bill, black legs and conspicuous yellow feet.

Distribution
A common resident throughout Africa with an extensive global breeding distribution.

Habitat
Inhabits the margins of coastal and inland water habitats, preferring open areas with shallow fresh water.

Diet
Mainly fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

Behaviour
Little egrets are usually solitary except when roosting in trees or flying to roost. The liveliest hunters among the herons, they feed chiefly by walking through water and snapping at prey, or by running and agitating the water with their feet to disturb prey.

Reproduction
They are colonial nesters, building near water, in trees and bushes or sometimes rocks or cliffs. Colonies range from a few hundred nests up to a couple of thousand usually in association with other herons. Two to four eggs are laid during the main or late rains.

Conservation status
Not listed as endangered. Populations are generally increasing and little egrets are now quite common winter visitors in the UK.

Voice
A short hoarse croak, usually silent away from the roost and the colony.