Cattle

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Prior to 1952 the Cattle Egret was unknown in North America. In the 1870;s to 1880’s its range expanded from Africa to northeastern South America. More recently it has colonized the Australian region. Young birds disperse perhaps thousands of miles, attributing to continental expansion. It currently migrates from North America to the West Indies, central and northern South America and is common in all seasons along the Gulf coast, parts of the southwest and Florida.

In spite of this colonization, it has very little impact on native species.

It is unlike most herons and egret species it feeds in dry fields often following cattle or grazing animals, with a diet of mostly insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, flies, also frogs, spiders, moths, nestling birds, eggs, and sometimes fish.

It like other waders breeds in colonies consisting of other waders.