Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
1photos
Cattle Egrets still look faintly improbable from a British perspective, which is part of their appeal. This photograph was made in Valencia under flat, overcast light, where the pale plumage and clean shape stood out beautifully. They are not especially dramatic birds, but they have a neatness and clarity that makes them very satisfying to photograph. Sometimes a species does not need to do much; it just needs the conditions to let its shape and colour speak for themselves.
Description
The Cattle Egret is a compact, stocky heron approximately 50 centimetres in length with a relatively short, thick neck and legs compared to other egrets. In breeding plumage, adults develop buff-orange patches on the crown, breast and back, whilst non-breeding birds are entirely white with yellowish bills and legs. The species is notably less aquatic than other herons, frequently found in dry grasslands and farmland following livestock or tractors to catch disturbed insects and small vertebrates.
Vital statistics
Body length
45 - 52 cm
Weight
300 - 500 g
Wingspan
88 - 96 cm
Diet
- Insects70%
- Other Invertebrates20%
- Vertebrates10%
Habitat
FreshwaterGrasslandUrbanWetlands