Scientific Name: Egretta garzetta
Malay Name: Bangau Kecil
Chinese Name: 白鹭
Range: Widespread throughout the Palearctic and Australia with most northerly populations winter to Africa, southern Europe, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: garzetta, nigripes.
Local Subspecies: nigripes (uncommon), garzetta (common)
Size: 55-65 cm
Identification: Non-breeding adult shows all-white plumage, black legs (with yellow feet for garzetta) and mostly blackish bill. In transition to breeding plumage, has white plumes behind head. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult but has greenish legs.
Similar looking species: Eastern Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Medium Egret, Pacific Reef Heron, Chinese Egret
Habitat: Various freshwater and coastal wetlands.
Behaviour/Ecology: Less active feeder than Chinese Egret.
Local Status: Common migrant and rare visitor
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Any patch of suitable habitat such as Sungei Buloh, Lorong Halus, Mandai Mudflats and Seletar Dam.
- An Indonesian Archipelago Wishlist: Birds to Look Out For (Science)
- Bird identification: more than just photos (Birding Starter Pack)
- Top 10 most observed birds in Singapore and the region (Science)
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Little Egret)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Egretta garzetta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T62774969A86473701.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Little Egret. Retrieved on May 21, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/little-egret.