Little Egret Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small member of the Heron family. It is a white bird with a long, thin black beak, long black legs and yellow feet. These fascinating birds feed in shallow water and on land and have a varied diet.
Originally only breeding in warm temperate areas of Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe, the Little Egrets range has now expanded to include much of Europe and the United Kingdom.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the life cycle of the Little Egret from egg laying to the fledging of the chicks and finding out much more along the way. Keep reading to find out more about these interesting birds.
Table of Contents
How Long Does A Little Egret Live?
The average lifespan of a Little Egret is around 5 years in the wild. They reach sexual maturity at around the age of 2, which is when they first produce chicks of their own.
As with many birds, some will survive far beyond the average lifespan, with one individual Little Egret reaching an age of 13 years and 6 months according to ring records in 2019. Their survival is dependent on a number of factors which include food availability, climatic conditions and an avoidance of predators.
How Fast Can A Little Egret Fly?
Little Egrets can fly at speeds of around 22 to 25 miles per hour (35 to 40 km/h). Their speed can vary depending on the wind speed, the energy levels of the bird in flight and whether they are flying long distances or just moving around their feeding grounds.
Little Egrets are known for their graceful flight, often seen gliding with slow, deliberate wingbeats.
Are Little Egrets Aggressive?
Little Egrets are typically solitary birds that aggressively defend their feeding territories. Having said that, they are known to feed in mixed flocks, typically with cormorants, Ibis and Spoonbills. They often cooperate with these other species to clear an area of prey together.
After a male and female Little Egret pair up, their breeding territory is defended by both partners using various defensive displays such as standing upright, flicking their heads, shaking twigs and rushing forwards aggressively.
Their breeding territory is generally an area around 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 metres) around the nest.
What Is A Little Egrets Habitat?
The habitat of the Little Egret is wide and varied, and includes; lake shores, rivers, canals, lagoons, ponds, flooded land and marshland. They prefer areas that are open and not densely covered by trees or bushes.
In coastal areas they can be found in mangrove swamps, mudflats, reefs and sandy beaches. They can also be found moving around cattle and other hoofed animals. In certain areas of the world, the Little Egret can be found in rice fields.
In the UK they tend to favour the coasts of southern England and Wales. With some rare sightings in Scotland and Ireland.
How Long Does It Take For A Little Egret To Build A Nest?
It generally takes 7 to 14 days for a Little Egret to build a nest. The time taken depends on the availability of materials and the experience of the breeding pair.
Both the male and female take part in the construction of the nest with the male collecting materials and the female arranging them into a nest. The materials used include; twigs, sticks and small branches which are found in the area close to the nest site. The nest is generally a shallow, loose platform formed from sticks.
The nest is then lined with grass, reeds and leaves to make the nest warm and comfortable for the eggs and chicks. These nests are often built in colonies with other Herons, Egrets or other waterbirds. They are typically sited in shrubs, trees or dense reed beds and are often constructed in swampy areas or over water to deter predators.
Eggs
Once the nest is constructed to the satisfaction of the female, she will lay her eggs.
When Do Little Egrets Lay Eggs?
Little Egrets lay eggs at different times of the year depending on their geographical location. In the UK, they typically lay their eggs during the spring or early summer. They will generally build their nests in March or April and start laying eggs from late April through to early June.
The egg laying period typically coincides with the time of year when food sources are more abundant. Warmer or milder springs can lead to egg laying being earlier while colder conditions can delay the laying time by a few weeks.
How Many Eggs Does A Little Egret Lay?
The number of eggs laid can vary depending on where in the world the Little Egrets are located. In the UK it is common for the female to lay 3 to 5 eggs.
What Do Little Egret Eggs Look Like?
Little Egret eggs are a greenish-blue colour which fades to an off-white shade over time. Each egg is around 46 x 34 mm in size and weighs around 28 grams with 7% of that weight being the weight of the shell.
How Long Do Little Egret Eggs Take To Hatch?
Both parents incubate the eggs with incubation starting after the 2nd or 3rd egg is laid. The eggs are incubated for around 21 to 25 days and the chicks hatch asynchronously.
Chicks
Once the chicks hatch we move on to the next stage in the life cycle of the Little Egret.
How Many Chicks Does A Little Egret Have?
Hatching success rates vary but are typically around 90% which means we can expect almost all 5 eggs to hatch. However, as they hatch asynchronously, the older chicks often take most or all of the food provided by the parents which can lead to the later hatchlings starving to death.
When Do Little Egret Chicks Open Their Eyes?
Little Egret chicks are altricial which means they are blind, completely helpless and covered in a sparse layer of down when they hatch. Their eyes generally open around 1 or 2 days after hatching.
The early opening of the eyes helps the chicks recognise their surroundings and their parents, which is crucial for feeding and survival in the nest.
They develop rapidly and start to grow true feathers around 14 days after they hatch.
When Do Little Egret Chicks Fledge?
Little Egret chicks generally fledge (leave the nest) when they are around 30 to 35 days old. Even after fledging, the young fledglings still rely on their parents for food for some time.
SEE ALSO: Dotterel Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
The average lifespan of a Little Egret is around 5 years in the wild. Although there are records of individuals surviving for far longer. With one individual bird living for 13 years and 6 months according to ring records.
Little Egret eggs are a greenish-blue colour when first laid. Then often fade to an off-white colour in the nest. Each egg is around 46 x 34 mm in size and weighs around 28 grams.
Little Egrets were once a rare sight in the UK but are now commonly seen around the coasts of southern England and Wales with rare sightings in Scotland and Ireland.
