Little egret

Introduction: Little egrets (Egretta garzetta) inhabit almost anywhere there is water including rivers, lakes, pans, marshes, estuaries, saltpans, mangroves, dams, canals and sewage works. This species are usually found singly, but roost communally at night.

Distribution: Widespread and resident throughout most of Namibia including the Caprivi, Kunene River Mouth, Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Etosha National Park and other scattered populations in the country.

Diet: Eats mainly fish but also takes, reptiles, insects, worms, amphibians, molluscs, crustaceans, small mammals and small birds.

Description: Garzetta is the Italian name for 'small white egret'. The plumage is entirely white, the legs black, feet orange to red.

Breeding: A stick and reed nest provides for the female to lay between 2 and 4 eggs between January and March and October to December. Incubation is for up to 25 days in duration.

Size: 60cm.

Weight: 510g.