Western Cattle-Egret
Ardea ibis
Unlike most herons, the Cattle Egret is not strictly aquatic and has successfully colonized every continent except Antarctica by following human livestock.
- Scientific name
- Ardea ibis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Pelecaniformes › Ardeidae › Ardea
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open grasslands, pastures, savannas, and agricultural fields, typically in the presence of large grazing mammals.
- Diet
- Insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and flies; occasionally frogs, lizards, and small mammals.
- Range
- Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia
- Size
- Wingspan of 88-96 cm; height of approximately 46-56 cm.
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread pesticide use reducing insect prey and the drainage of seasonal wetlands used for nesting.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing their foraging. If you find an injured bird, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Avoid handling to prevent stress to the animal and potential exposure to bird mites.
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 two of its 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...
Photo: Dan Vickers, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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