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Birds · Sumatera · Java

Little Egret

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). The little egret is smaller than the great egret; wetland identification benefits from checking size, bill and leg characters together.

Updated Facts checked Egretta garzettaEditorial standards

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Photograph of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta).
(c) SteveM4560, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Little Egret at a glance

The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a bird in the family Ardeidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. Diet: mainly small fish (piscivore), also insects and other aquatic animals; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Little Egret
Scientific nameEgretta garzetta
Indonesian nameKuntul kecil
GroupBirds
FamilyArdeidae
Observation recordsNusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi
Taxonomic groupPelecaniformes
GBIF records9,451 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — mainly small fish (piscivore), also insects and other aquatic animals · BirdLife DataZone
ReproductionLaying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)
ActiveDiurnal (active by day) · Little Egret - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group)
In this guide (12)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Little Egret?

Little Egret refers to Egretta garzetta, in the genus Egretta, family Ardeidae, and order Pelecaniformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Little Egret?

The little egret is smaller than the great egret; wetland identification benefits from checking size, bill and leg characters together.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Little Egret?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 9,451 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Little Egret?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Little Egret with Pacific Reef Heron, Purple Heron, Striated Heron. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Scientific classification of the Little Egret

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyArdeidae
GenusEgretta
SpeciesEgretta garzetta

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Little Egret

What is the scientific name of the Little Egret?

The scientific name of the Little Egret is Egretta garzetta, in the family Ardeidae and the order Pelecaniformes. In Indonesian it is called Kuntul kecil.

What kind of animal is the Little Egret?

The Little Egret is a bird in the family Ardeidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a mainly small fish (piscivore), also insects and other aquatic animals.

Where does the Little Egret live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Little Egret summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. That list is not a complete range map.

What does the Little Egret eat?

The Little Egret is a mainly small fish (piscivore), also insects and other aquatic animals. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife DataZone.

How does the Little Egret reproduce?

The Little Egret reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).

Is the Little Egret nocturnal?

The cited source records the Little Egret as diurnal (active by day). Source: Little Egret - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group).

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What is the scientific classification of the Little Egret?

Scientific classification of the Little Egret: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Pelecaniformes, family Ardeidae, genus Egretta, species Egretta garzetta.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the Little Egret endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Little Egret is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Little Egret is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗
  5. BirdLife DataZone ↗
  6. Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
  7. Little Egret - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group) ↗
  8. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  9. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/egretta-garzetta/

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