Birds of a feather

• The little egret is a sociable bird and gathers in large numbers, sometimes associating with other species. It breeds in colonies, constructs a stick platform as a nest in reeds, bushes or trees; both parents incubate the 3–5 blueish-green eggs and remain in attendance during the 40–45day fledging period

• When feeding, it may stand or crouch in ambush in the shallows, shuffle its yellow feet on long black legs to raise food or make short runs with raised wings to panic prey. It will spread its 42in wingspan to shield reflected glare for a clear view of the underwater world

• It eats mainly fish, but will take small birds, reptiles, animals and molluscs and often spends time with meadow livestock whose movements disturb insects

• The bird takes its name from the French Provençal aigrette, a diminutive of aigre (heron). Its Latin name, Egretta garzetta, was prescribed by Linnaeus in 1766, garzetta being the Italian name for the bird

• The heron family extends to 64 variants, which also includes bitterns

• The little egret is of the same Ardeidae family as the heron. Both appear in the symbolism of Ancient Egypt and Greece, in Aztec and Chinese cultures and in Maori and Iroquois lore, usually promising good fortune

• The bird is usually silent, but when disturbed, it may produce a low harsh cry similar to that of the heron, arguably the least attractive call in the avian kingdom

• Close relatives of the little egret—the snowy, cattle, eastern reef, western reef and Dimorphic—are found on coasts and waterways around the world. The stork, spoonbill, ibis and crane are of somewhat similar characteristics, but are in different families