Little Egrets - (Aust.)

The following request for people's experience of Little Egrets is from colleague Peter Menkhorst.

Note that Little Egrets are recognised as a threatened species in Victoria and are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.  The possible presence of another sub species of this bird raises some interesting conservation issues.

Martin O'Brien
Melbourne

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At the Western Treatment Plant [western Port Phillip Bay] on 11 June a single Little Egret was observed perched on rocks north of the Little River mouth. This bird clearly had bright yellow feet. Generally, Little Egrets in Australia have black feet with yellowish soles and have been described as a subspecies – Egretta garzetta nigripes. The nominate subspecies E. g. garzetta from southern Europe, North Africa, Asia and Japan has yellow feet and ankles.

I am interested to learn of other records of yellow-footed [as distinct from yellow-soled] Little Egrets in Australia. Please post to the list so that all can benefit.

Peter Menkhorst