Ibis O ne of the farmers from the bottom end of the Valley called to tell me there were a pair of white herons, Kotuku, in his paddock. He said they were together with a number, or should I say a siege, of white-faced herons. Excitement, but I am told that small white herons among stock are always cattle egrets. The small size distinguishes it from the white heron and little egret is very rare. However, when the orange-buff breeding plumes develop, identification is certain.
Cattle egrets are self introduced and are therefore deemed natives and are fully protected.
They have only recently colonised New Zealand, the first birds having been seen near Christchurch in the winter of 1963 although there were many unconfirmed sightings from the 1950s. A few years ago up to 3000 or more birds were arriving from Australia each winter. Numbers were steadily increasing and it was thought eventually some would not return to Australia for breeding but remain and nest here, but for some unknown reason the numbers have been declining for the last couple of years. During the last 50 years cattle egrets have colonised a number of new countries. Australia was only colonised in 1948 but birds are now widespread there.