Little Egret

February is a difficult time of year to differentiate between Little and Chinese Egret as they can look very similar.On Picture 6 the tarsus appears to be about 15% longer than the bill, as per the Chinese, whereas it is shorter on the Little Egret. In addition the Little Egret would have grown 2 long plumes from the head which this bird does not have, although it does have what appears to be a crest growing from the nape which again indicates a Chinese. The colour of the legs is very dark which resembles Little Egret. I was leaning towards Chinese Egret with some reservations but have accepted Little Egret now.