little little species small family genus comes french species epithet italian bird white bird slender black long black legs western race yellow feet aquatic bird feeds shallow water land consuming variety small creatures breeds species water birds making platform nest sticks tree bush reed bed clutch bluish green eggs laid parents young weeks age breeding distribution wetlands warm temperate tropical parts europe africa asia australia warmer locations birds permanent residents northern populations including european birds migrate africa southern asia winter birds north late summer breeding season tendency disperse assisted recent expansion bird range time common western_europe hunted extensively 19th century provide decoration hats locally extinct northwestern europe scarce south conservation laws introduced southern europe protect species numbers began increase beginning 21st century bird breeding france netherlands ireland britain begun seen barbados bred assessed bird global conservation status concern subspecies depending authority subspecies little currently accepted nominate found europe africa asia south east found indonesia east australia non breeding new_zealand considered synonymous taxa times classified subspecies little past regarded separate species western reef occurs coastline west_africa red_sea india found madagascar description adult little long wingspan weighs plumage normally entirely white dark forms largely bluish grey plumage breeding season adult long form crest pointed narrow similar feathers breast widely spread elongated feathers long loose long winter plumage similar shorter normal appearance bill long slender black area greenish grey bare skin base lower eye yellow iris legs black feet yellow juveniles similar non breeding adults greenish black legs yellow feet certain proportion brownish feathers subspecies differs having yellow skin bill eye feet height courtship turn red feet yellow races turn red little silent bubbling calls breeding colonies produce harsh alarm disturbed human ear sounds indistinguishable black crowned night cattle associates distribution habitat breeding range western race includes southern europe middle_east africa southern asia northern european populations migratory travelling africa remain southern europe asian populations migrate philippines eastern race resident indonesia new_guinea inhabits australia new_zealand breed late twentieth century range little expanded northwards europe new world breeding population established barbados birds spread caribbean region atlantic coast united_states little habitat varies widely includes shores lakes rivers canals ponds marshes flooded land bird preferring open locations dense cover coast inhabits areas swamps sandy beaches reefs rice fields important habitat italy coastal areas important africa bird moves cattle mammals behaviour little birds seen small flocks individual birds tolerate coming close chosen feeding site depends abundance prey use variety methods food stalk prey shallow water running raised wings feet small fish stand wait ambush prey use opportunities provided disturbing fish humans attracting fish throwing bread water land walk run chasing prey feed creatures disturbed grazing livestock livestock diet mainly fish amphibians small reptiles mammals birds eaten crustaceans insects spiders worms little nest colonies birds coasts western india colonies urban areas associated birds include cattle black crowned night black headed europe associated species cattle black crowned night glossy nests usually platforms sticks built trees shrubs reed beds bamboo locations birds nest cliffs pairs defend small breeding territory usually extending nest eggs adults days hatching oval shape pale non glossy blue green shell colour young birds covered white feathers cared parents days conservation globally little listed threatened species fact expanded range decades states wide distribution large total population means species cause concern status northwestern europe historical research shown little present probably common ireland great_britain extinct combination hunting late period climate change start inclusion numerous birds banquet celebrate castle indicates presence sizable population northern england time listed coronation feast king henry scarce century send south commented bird listed bill fare wonder species nearly extinct country declines occurred europe little demand hats purpose 17th century 19th century major number skins passing dealers reached millions complete statistics exist months skins sold london london dealer sold million skins farms set birds killed supply called obtained hunting reduced population species dangerously low levels stimulated establishment britain 1950s little restricted southern europe conservation laws protecting species introduced allowed population rebound strongly decades increasingly common western france later north coast bred netherlands breeding 1990s onward pairs thought breed europe populations stable increasing spain france italy decreasing greece britain rare 16th century disappearance late 20th century breed recently regular breeding species commonly present large numbers favoured coastal sites recent breeding record england species bred wales time population increase rapid subsequently pairs breeding nearly colonies post breeding total birds september little especially common river_thames summer noticed large numbers port meadow oxford ireland species bred time site population expanded rapidly breeding irish counties severe winter weather proved temporary setback species continues spread status australia australia status varies state state listed threatened victorian flora act act recovery future management species prepared advisory list threatened fauna victoria little listed endangered new world little started record barbados april bird began breeding island breeds bahamas birds spain provide clue birds origin birds similar appearance snowy share colonial nesting sites birds barbados recent arrivals little larger varied foraging strategies exert dominance feeding sites little seen increasing wider area observed brazil south newfoundland quebec ontario north birds east coast north_america thought moved north snowy caribbean june little spotted maine near center
Little egret