The
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, is a small white heron. It
is the only member of the genus Bubulcus (Bonaparte,
1855). It is of Old World origins, but has been a very
successful coloniser, and is now found in the warmer
parts of every continent except Antarctica.
This is a stocky species with a short thick bill and
buff back, breast and crown in breeding plumage. It is
otherwise white.
Their breeding habitat is large wetlands in warm
countries. They nest in colonies, often with other
wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or
shrubs. 1-5 eggs are laid.
Most are permanent residents apart from some
post-breeding dispersal, which has led presumably, led
to this egret's range expansion.
These birds are often found in dry grassy habitats,
unlike most herons which are associated with shallow
water. Cattle Egrets feed on insects, especially
grasshoppers, and are usually found with cattle and
other large animals which disturb small creatures which
the egrets then catch. They will also ride on the backs
of large ruminants.
