Even at rest, the neck is rarely extended. It walks in a swaying manner, much like a goose. Some individuals may 'leapfrog' over one another while moving across the feeding area. It is capable of evasive manuvers and usually doesn't swim unless it is pursued. The cattle egret is usually silent when it is away from its roost, and it has no special flocking or flight calls.
Individuals defend their perch sites.
Outside of the breeding season, there is little aggressive behavior, but during the breeding season, encounters are intense. The erection of the crest is indicative of the bird's level of antagonism. At the colony site, the male may defend one or two territories. After pairs are formed, together both members defend the nesting territory. There is no territorialism at the feeding sites, as they feed almost exclusively in flocks.