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The Cattle Egret

© Glenda Gibbons

The cattle egret is a perfect example of a species that has thrived throughout the years. Originally a tropical bird, the cattle egret first hailed from Africa, then began its pilgrimage to South America and then to North America. There are cattle egrets that now reside in the southernmost United States (the neotropics) and extend all the way up the Pacific coastline to Washington, and up the eastern coastal area to the New England states.

The all-white cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is about 20 inches (50 cm) in length. Because of its diversity throughout the world, there are several races of the same species that occupy certain territory within specific areas. Because these subspecies are native to their own areas, their distinct markings tend to stay within their individual races. These races are known as 'ibis', which breeds all over the continent of Africa and extends to the americas, 'coromandus', which runs from India eastward to China, Burma, Thailand, the Philippines, and then northward to Korea and Japan, and 'seychellarum', which is a third race that consists of wanderers from the other two races that settle somewhere in the middle of all the habitat possibilities.

Our North American friend (Bubulcus ibis) sports a short yellow bill and black legs. This tends to change in breeding season, as they begin to develop rust-colored plumes. Both bill and legs change color to an eye-catching red. The mating rituals are elaborate and showy. After breeding, the birds migrate south, extending their visibility even further.

The cattle egret builds its nest in bushes, trees, or reedbeds. It is not uncommon to nest in a colony that includes other species of egrets and herons. The nests consist of reeds or small twigs. Once settled in, the female lays a clutch of 4-5 eggs that are pale blue or green in color.

Cattle egrets get their name from their tendency to follow cattle or other livestock, eating the insects that are swept up from the ground within the huge dust cloud. Entire flocks of cattle egrets have taken to the habit of following farmers tractors around fields as the heavy equipment plows up a feast of insects there for the grabbing.

As of late, there has been some concern in regard to the spread of Foot-and-Mouth disease in Great Britain. Because of its tendency to migrate north during breeding season, the National Wildlife Health Center has issued alerts in relation to the cattle egret, and the possibility of spreading this highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. Lab tests have shown that the possibility of contamination from cattle egrets is a matter of concern, but nothing to panic about. While birds themselves are not susceptible to Foot-and-Mouth disease, they can carry the germs on their feet from place to place.

The copyright of the article The Cattle Egret in Tropical Birds is owned by Glenda Gibbons. Permission to republish The Cattle Egret in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.