Little Egret vs Great White Egret: How to Tell Them Apart

This is a stark white bird with vivid yellow toes, black legs, a yellow eye and a long neck. Its bill is black, narrow and pointed, and a small area of skin at its base is usually grey, though the colour can vary. It has delicate plumes on its breast and nape which are seen in spring. Immature birds don't have plumes or yellow feet.

This bird can be found throughout the year in Britain and Ireland; it prefers marshy, shallow waters, estuaries and the banks of rivers.

Predominately a quiet bird, will make croaks and quacks within breeding groups.

This bird has longer wings and neck than the Little Egret. It is white and its neck is usually bent in an 'S' shape. The bill is yellow in the winter; it darkens when breeding, and there are also long, delicate plumes at the nape of the neck at this time. It holds its neck in when flying and its legs dangle obviously beyond the tail.

Wet meadows, marshes, rivers, lakesides and estuaries are all known habitats. In Britain it nests in the marginal vegetation of these areas.

Utters low, guttural caws and croaks when breeding.