Egretta
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta )
Egretta is a genus in the subfamily of the herons in the heron family. These are medium-sized birds, most of which breed in warmer climates. Members of this genus are found almost all over the world: The Little Egret is widespread throughout the Old World and settled from the Caribbean now increasingly North and South America.
Description
Egretta species are langhälsig and leggy and also have due to their long and pointed beaks a body shape that is considered typical heron. Their plumage coloration, however, varies greatly. Some species have pure white plumage, such as the little egret. When Pied Heron, however, is only the white front side of the body and the rest of the plumage slaty gray. In contrast, the rest of the Reddish Egret feathers are at a color morph neck and head reddish-brown and slate gray. However, there is also a pure white morphs. When bells heron the entire plumage is slate- dark gray.
Egretta species breed mostly in colonies. They are then also often associated with other species. The nest is built in trees or shrubs. They live on insects, fish and amphibians. Most species of the genus Egretta are motionless in the water until prey comes near her or wade very slowly through the water. A special form of prey acquisition has developed the bells heron spreads its wings like an umbrella over his head when he looks for food.
System
The systematics of the heron is greatly changing. On the basis of phylogenetic studies species that were previously to the genus Egretta, genus Ardea have been assigned. Thus one finds occasionally in older literature, the egrets still in the genus Egretta. Conversely provide subspecies of Little Egret species may dar.
Species
The following species are counted to the genus Egretta:
- Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens
- Pied Heron, Egretta picata
- Braunkehl Egret, Egretta vinaceigula
- Bells Egret, Egretta ardesiaca
- Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor
- White -faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
- Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea
- Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
- Little Egret, Egretta garzetta
- Snow Egret, Egretta eulophotes
- Reef egret, Egretta sacra
- Coast Egret, Egretta gularis