cattle egret

1. Bird Name
The English name of the bird in focus is the ‘Cattle Egret,’ and its scientific or Latin name is ‘Bubulcus ibis.’

2. Appearance
The Cattle Egret is primarily white, with a distinct yellow, almost golden hue on its head, chest, and coverts during its breeding season. Outside the breeding season, the bird presents as pure white. Its beak is short, sturdy and slightly curved downwards, with a bright orange shade during breeding, and yellow otherwise. The bird’s eyes are often a fierce yellow or red, captivating in their intensity. Their legs share the same coloring as the beak – orange when in breeding and yellow at other times. It is noteworthy that both males and females share the same physical appearance with no sexual dimorphism.

3. Size
The average body length of a Cattle Egret ranges from 46 to 56 cm/18 to 22 inches. It has a wingspan of approximately 88-96 cm/34.5-37.5 inches. Adult males and females typically weigh between 270-512 grams/9.5-18 ounces.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Cattle Egrets are one of the most widely found bird species in the world. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, cattle egrets have effectively colonized most parts of the world due to their strength as long-distance fliers. They can now be found across the Americas, Australia, and even some islands in the Pacific. They have a preference for grasslands, farmlands, marshy wetlands, and savannas, where their primary food source, insects, are abundantly available.

5. Interesting Facts
One of the fascinating facts about the Cattle Egret is their symbiotic relationship with cattle and other large herbivores. They often are seen perching upon cattle, feeding on the insects that bother the animals, earning them their name. Also, they’re known for their migration habits. Despite their small size, Cattle Egrets have been known to make long-distance migrations between continents.

6. Diet
Cattle Egrets mainly feed on insects, particularly those found around large mammals like cattle or horses. Their diet includes grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, frogs, and worms.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Cattle Egrets are known for their cooperative breeding behavior. They build nests in colonies, often with other waterbird species. The bird’s flight pattern is direct, with steady wing beats. The call of a Cattle Egret is a low-pitched ‘rick-rack’ or a harsh, rasping croak, typically heard when they’re breeding.

8. Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Cattle Egret is categorized under ‘Least Concern’ because of its large and expanding global population and widespread habitat range.

9. Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Cattle Egret in the wild is around 15 years, while in captivity, they can live up to 20-25 years with appropriate care.

10. Additional Notes
Locally known as “cow heron” in English, they have a significant role in controlling insect populations in grasslands and farmlands, thus maintaining ecological balance. While they usually maintain a distance from humans, they have been known to nest near human habitats, especially farms where their preferred food is plentiful.