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Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisOrder: CICONIIFORMESFamily: Bitterns, Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)

Breeding Location:

Grassland with scattered trees, Marshes, freshwater, Swamps



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Colonial



Breeding Population:

North American population increasing



Egg Color:

Pale blue or light blue green



Number of Eggs:

1 - 9



Incubation Days:

21 - 26



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Sticks and reeds.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Cattle Egret: Medium, stocky egret with white body and pale orange-brown patches on head, neck and back. Eyes, bill and legs are orange. This is the only white egret with both a yellow bill and yellow legs. Feeds primarily on insects disturbed by livestock. Direct flight on quick steady wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Cattle Egret: Breeds throughout much of the U.S.; less dependent on aquatic habitats than other egrets, preferring grassy fields.

Breeding and Nesting

Cattle Egret: One to nine pale blue or blue green eggs are laid in a nest made of sticks and vegetation; nests in colonies and sometimes reuses an old nest; often steals materials from neighbors. Eggs are incubated for approximately 24 days by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Cattle Egret: Eats mostly grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, flies, frogs, and moths. Commonly associates with livestock or large wild game, feeding on insects disturbed by grazing; also follows tractors in fields. Forages in small groups or singly, walking in a steady strut, darting forward and stabbing quickly with bill to catch prey.

Vocalization

Cattle Egret: Generally silent but emits a simple, husky, quiet "rick-rack" on breeding grounds.

Similar Species

Cattle Egret: Great Egret and white phase Great Blue Heron are much larger. Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron have dark or bi-colored bills.

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Family
Species Bubulcus ibis
Length19 - 21 Inches
Wingspan37 Inches

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret: Medium, stocky egret with white body and pale orange-brown patches on head, neck and back. Eyes, bill and legs are orange. This is the only white egret with both a yellow bill and yellow legs. Feeds primarily on insects disturbed by livestock. Direct flight on quick steady wing beats.

● Song: "rick-rack"

● Foraging & Feeding: Cattle Egret: Eats mostly grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, flies, frogs, and moths. Commonly associates with livestock or large wild game, feeding on insects disturbed by grazing; also follows tractors in fields. Forages in small groups or singly, walking in a steady strut, darting forward and stabbing quickly with bill to catch prey.

● Breeding & nesting: Cattle Egret: One to nine pale blue or blue green eggs are laid in a nest made of sticks and vegetation; nests in colonies and sometimes reuses an old nest; often steals materials from neighbors. Eggs are incubated for approximately 24 days by both parents.

● Similar species: Cattle Egret: Great Egret and white phase Great Blue Heron are much larger. Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron have dark or bi-colored bills.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Cattle Egret Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Cattle Egret: Breeds throughout much of the U.S.; less dependent on aquatic habitats than other egrets, preferring grassy fields.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationNorth American population increasing
MigrationMigratory
Weight11.9 Ounces