Why Little Egrets Have Yellow Feet

By: NDTVNewsDesk

Image: Pexels

The little egret is a small, white heron with a slender black bill, black legs, and distinctive yellow feet.

Image: Pexels

They have yellow feet to help them hunt by stirring up the mud in shallow water.

Image: Pexels

This helps them flush out hidden prey like small fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Image: Pexels

The yellow colour helps make the feet more noticeable to the prey than they would be if they were dark.

Image: Pexels

This makes the prey more likely to try to swim away, which the egret can then see and catch.

Image: Pexels

This method is particularly useful for the egret, which often hunts small, fast-moving prey.

Image: Pexels

These prey require a more active approach compared to other heron species.

Image: Pexels

The feet of some egret species, like the Snowy Egret, can become a brighter orange-yellow during the breeding season.

Image: Pexels

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