Bird guideMedium Egret

Little egrets have yellow-soled feet and black bills.

⚠️Not listed
🍃Indigenous: Jirrgulugulu, Dalarrala, Gomorlo, A-Garnandharrh, Galadjarr', Garnandarrh, Malaywiwi, Krein, Marraala, Dalarala

At a glance

FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatIt often nests in colonies with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Sounds

Sound sample
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Recorded by Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇

Range map

Range map

3966visible hotspots
164042visible records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Things to look for include a yellow bill that is shorter than Great Egret but longer than Eastern Cattle Egret, a relatively rounded head, and shorter legs than Great Egret, approaching Eastern Cattle Egret.

Behavior

Like most egret species, associates with all types of water bodies including wet fields, often flocking with other egrets.

Regional timing

New South Wales
Peak: July to May24,616 records
Queensland
Peak: April to November111,738 records
Northern Territory
Peak: June to October17,850 records
South Australia
Peak: July to November477 records
Western Australia
Peak: May to September4,461 records
Victoria
Peak: October to April3,410 records
Tasmania
Peak: September to November6 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: January to March1,328 records
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