Cattle Egret

## Description

The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis ) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the western cattle egret and the eastern cattle egret. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.

It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands, and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations are migratory and others show postbreeding dispersal.

The adult cattle egret has few predators, but birds or mammals may raid its nests, and chicks may be lost to starvation, calcium deficiency, or disturbance from other large birds. This species maintains a special relationship with cattle, which extends to other large grazing mammals; wider human farming is believed to be a major cause of their suddenly expanded range. The cattle egret removes ticks and flies from cattle and consumes them. This benefits both species, but it has been implicated in the spread of tick-borne animal diseases.

## Appearance

Among the species of the same category, the Cattle egret has a relatively small body. It has long brownish hair on the crown of its head. The feathers are white with slight brown coloring. Lean and short legs are reddish brown in color. The Cattle egret has a slender reddish beak with a bright yellow top.

## Distribution

The Cattle egret is a native African and southern Spanish species, also found in Eurasia and North America (except for the west and far north). In addition, the area of their distribution includes Australia and, partly, South America. The major habitat of the cattle egret is wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. These birds generally avoid arid areas. They are found in croplands and pastures with poor drainage. The egrets are often seen with cattle and other livestock. Also, the Cattle egrets occasionally forage at garbage dumps.

## Behavior

Cattle egrets are diurnal, feeding by day and sleeping at night. They are known to be highly sociable animals, closely associating with grazing species. Cattle egrets share roosting colonies with other colonial waterbirds. The egrets are migratory birds, gathering in flocks with other ardeid species. Yet, Cattle egrets wander extensively, so it's difficult to distinguish whether they migrate or just disperse. Also, these birds usually fly in flocks to and from breeding, roosting and feeding sites. A male at the colony site can defend one or two territories. However, these birds always feed in flocks, so there's no territorialism at the feeding site, since it belongs to the entire flock.

## Diet

Cattle egrets are generally insectivorous. Their diet consists of insects such as locusts and grasshoppers. These birds also consume rodents, lizards, frogs, crustaceans, tadpoles, mollusks, fish as well as small species of bird. In addition, they often forage at rubbish dumps.

## Reproduction

Cattle egrets are seasonally monogamous: they mate once a year, staying together until the end of the nesting season. They do not tend to pair again with their mates from previous years. The male finds and brings sticks while the female builds from it a nest in a tree or shrub, after which 3-4 eggs are laid. Breeding season depends on the region. Both the male and the female participate in incubation of the eggs during 24 days. These birds are very careful parents: both of them feed their chicks by regurgitation and one of them is constantly with the young during the first 10 days of their lives. About three weeks after hatching, the chicks start climbing around the nest. The young egrets start flying at the age of four weeks, while at about 6-7 weeks they are fully independent. By this time, juveniles become strong flyers, able to travel long distances. They usually start breeding at 2 years old.

## Population

### Population threats

One of the main threats to the Cattle egret population is habitat loss and destruction. For example, wetlands and lakes, that are breeding areas for these birds, undergo drainage for irrigation or production of hydroelectric power. Consequently, in some areas of their habitat, these birds are threatened with pesticide poisoning. On the other hand, colonies of Cattle egrets, nesting in urban areas, can be unwelcome and persecuted. In Nigeria, these birds are hunted for commercial trade at local traditional medicine markets.

### Population number

The total number of Cattle egret population is about 4.000.000-9.850.000 individuals. The European population is estimated at 76.100-92.300 pairs, which equates to 152.000-185.000 mature individuals. The species has increasing population and is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

### Ecological niche

Due to consuming crop pest such as insects, these birds benefit farmers and protect cattle from infestations of ticks.

## Fun Facts for Kids

They are opportunistic feeders: Cattle egrets successfully catch insects, following large animals and farm machines. In fact, feeding with livestock helps them get about 50% more food, using only two-thirds as much energy as they usually do.

These birds can come to a fire from far away in order to catch fleeing insects.

They are known to wait for airplanes at airports to pass by grass and blow the insects out.

According to a study, conducted in Australia, feeding upon insects, these birds significantly reduce the number of flies that peck cattle off their skin.

This bird is named for its association with cattle. The Cattle egret can often be seen with livestock such as horses, cows and sheep as well as following around large wild mammals.