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The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, has the most amazing yellow feet that can be seen very clearly in this shot. Its feet play an integral part in their hunting technique as the bright coloured toes are often used to lure prey within striking distance.


Larger view

This egret is a very active hunter, regarded as the liveliest hunter among herons and egrets and will use a wide variety of tactics to catch prey, its antics ranging from sneaking along with a very low profile to rushing about, pouncing on prey from a distance away. Often it will stand shock-still and wave one foot about either under the surface or over it to attract prey. The prey in their diet varying from fish, molluscs and worms to insects and even small mammals and birds. Little Egrets usually hunt alone.

In February at Shisha on the H1-7 (apart from about 3000 other raptors) i saw Little Egrets also helping themselves to Red Billed Quelea chicks so that's an example of a bird as prey item as mentioned by Johan .

Eastern Cape, December, 2011

Very interesting facts about the Little Egret, and beautiful pictures of this gorgeous bird by all of you who have posted!

Thanks for sharing!