The White Grace: The Great and Little Egrets of Romania (Egreta) +video and views
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2026 2:28 pm
If the pelican is the king of the Delta, the Egret is surely its queen. With plumage as white as snow and a silhouette that defines elegance, these birds are a favorite for photographers and birdwatchers visiting the Romanian wetlands.
The Bird of Light
In Romanian culture, white birds like the egret are often seen as messengers of peace or symbols of a clean, untouched nature.
Two Sizes of Elegance
Egrets are everywhere there is water and peace:
A Gentle Reminder: Safety and Ethics
Even though they look delicate, wild animals are unpredictable.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Egrets of Romania
1. How can I tell the difference between the Great Egret and the Little Egret?
It’s all in the details!
No. While both are large, long-legged white birds, they belong to different families. Storks (Berzele) fly with their necks stretched out straight, whereas Egrets (and all herons) fly with their necks tucked back in an "S" shape. Also, storks nest on rooftops or high platforms, while egrets nest in reed beds or trees near water.
3. What do they eat besides fish?
They are highly skilled hunters! Besides fish, they eat frogs, large insects, aquatic larvae, and even small rodents or snakes if they find them near the water's edge.
4. Why are they often seen near cows or horses?
You might spot the Cattle Egret (Egreta de Vită), a smaller species that has recently started to appear more often in Romania. They follow large animals like the wild horses of Letea because the animals stir up insects from the grass while grazing, providing an easy "buffet" for the birds.
5. Are they protected by law in Romania?
Yes, absolutely. Egrets were the first birds in Romania to be declared Monuments of Nature (back in the 1930s). Killing them or disturbing their nesting sites is a serious legal offense.
6. Can I find them near cities?
Yes! Egrets are quite adaptable. You can often see them in urban wetlands like Văcărești Park in Bucharest or on the banks of rivers like the Olt or Mureș, even where they pass through towns.
The Bird of Light
In Romanian culture, white birds like the egret are often seen as messengers of peace or symbols of a clean, untouched nature.
- The "Fashion" Victim: In the early 20th century, egrets were almost hunted to extinction for their beautiful, lacy feathers (called aigrettes), which were used to decorate ladies' hats in Paris and London. Today, they are strictly protected in Romania, a success story for conservation.
- The Silent Hunter: Unlike the noisy pelicans, the egret is a master of patience. It stands perfectly still in the shallow water, looking like a white statue, until a fish comes within reach of its lightning-fast beak.
A Great Egret with pristine white plumage, standing in shallow water among yellow water lilies.
- The Great Egret (Egreta Mare): Impressive in size, with a yellow beak and black legs. It is the silent giant of the marshes.
- The Little Egret (Egreta Mică): Smaller and more energetic. It has a black beak and a unique feature: "golden slippers" (bright yellow feet) that it sometimes uses to stir up the mud and scare fish into the open.
Egrets are everywhere there is water and peace:
- The Danube Delta (see more): Look for them in the shallow edges of lakes like Fortuna, Nebunu, or Baclanesti.
- Mureș Floodplain Natural Park: A great place to see them in Western Romania.
- Comana Natural Park: Close to Bucharest, these "Sylvanian" wetlands are a sanctuary for egrets.
- Traditional Fish Ponds: Throughout the Romanian plains, egrets often frequent man-made fish farms.
A Gentle Reminder: Safety and EthicsEven though they look delicate, wild animals are unpredictable.
- The Strike Zone: An egret’s beak is a precision weapon. If they feel threatened or cornered, they aim for the eyes. Never approach a wounded egret without professional equipment.
- Flight Distance: They are very "skittish." If you move too fast or too close, they will take flight immediately. To capture their beauty, stay in your boat or hide behind the reeds and use a long lens.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Egrets of Romania
1. How can I tell the difference between the Great Egret and the Little Egret?
It’s all in the details!
- The Beak: The Great Egret (Egreta Mare) usually has a yellow beak, while the Little Egret (Egreta Mică) has a black beak.
- The Feet: The Little Egret is famous for its "golden slippers"—it has black legs but bright yellow feet. The Great Egret has entirely dark legs.
- Size: The Great Egret is nearly double the size of its smaller cousin.
No. While both are large, long-legged white birds, they belong to different families. Storks (Berzele) fly with their necks stretched out straight, whereas Egrets (and all herons) fly with their necks tucked back in an "S" shape. Also, storks nest on rooftops or high platforms, while egrets nest in reed beds or trees near water.
3. What do they eat besides fish?
They are highly skilled hunters! Besides fish, they eat frogs, large insects, aquatic larvae, and even small rodents or snakes if they find them near the water's edge.
4. Why are they often seen near cows or horses?
You might spot the Cattle Egret (Egreta de Vită), a smaller species that has recently started to appear more often in Romania. They follow large animals like the wild horses of Letea because the animals stir up insects from the grass while grazing, providing an easy "buffet" for the birds.
5. Are they protected by law in Romania?
Yes, absolutely. Egrets were the first birds in Romania to be declared Monuments of Nature (back in the 1930s). Killing them or disturbing their nesting sites is a serious legal offense.
6. Can I find them near cities?
Yes! Egrets are quite adaptable. You can often see them in urban wetlands like Văcărești Park in Bucharest or on the banks of rivers like the Olt or Mureș, even where they pass through towns.