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| − | [[Image:Cattle_Egret.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Cattle_Egret.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Breeding plumaged Cattle Egret by {{user|Fab|Fab}}<br />Location: South [[Florida]], [[USA]]]] |
| + | [[Image:Cattle_Egret_steer.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Winter plumaged Cattle Egret landing on a steer by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Location: Southeast [[Texas]], USA]] | ||
;[[:Category:Bubulcus|Bubulcus]] ibis | ;[[:Category:Bubulcus|Bubulcus]] ibis | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | The Cattle Egret | + | Length 48-53 cm, wingspan about 90-96 cm (nominate race). The Cattle Egret has a compact build with white plumage, yellow bill, and mostly yellow legs. One characteristic feature is the short stubby bill with obvious feathering extending out along the lower mandible to the mid point. When breeding, buff plumes develop on the crown and lower back, and parts of the breast also develop buff tones (or in some birds, more rusty-brown). In high breeding, bill and legs become reddish; however, this is held much shorter than the plumage. Females in winter plumage lack extended throat feathers seen in the male, but otherwise, the sexes are similar. Juvenile birds have a greyish-black wash to bill and legs. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | + | Cattle egret is found almost around the globe in tropical, subtropical, and warmer temperate areas. <br /> | |
| − | + | Occurs widely in sub-Saharan [[Africa]] from [[Senegal]] to [[Sudan]] and south to [[South Africa]] including [[Madagascar]] and the [[Seychelles]]. Also breeds in north-west Africa, [[Iberia]] and parts of southern [[France]]. | |
| − | Has recently has begun breeding in the [[Canary Islands]], western, central and northern France, [[Belgium]], on [[Sardinia]] and around the eastern Mediterranean in [[Turkey]], the Middle East and [[Egypt]]. Small numbers breed in the [[Volga Delta]] of [[Russia]]. | + | Has recently has begun breeding in the [[Canary Islands]], and in western, central and northern France, [[Belgium]], on [[Sardinia]] and around the eastern Mediterranean in [[Turkey]], the Middle East and [[Egypt]]. Small numbers breed in the [[Volga Delta]] of [[Russia]]. |
In [[Asia]] breeds throughout the [[India|Indian]] Subcontinent east to [[China]] and southern [[Japan]] and south to [[Indonesia]], [[New Guinea]] and throughout [[Australia]] except the most arid interior. | In [[Asia]] breeds throughout the [[India|Indian]] Subcontinent east to [[China]] and southern [[Japan]] and south to [[Indonesia]], [[New Guinea]] and throughout [[Australia]] except the most arid interior. | ||
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Found throughout [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and the [[West Indies]] and in [[South America]] extends south to northern [[Argentina]]. | Found throughout [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and the [[West Indies]] and in [[South America]] extends south to northern [[Argentina]]. | ||
| − | + | Recorded as a vagrant in most European countries where not regular, north to [[Iceland]], [[Scandinavia]] and [[Poland]], and also in the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]] and the [[Canary Islands]] but some reports may involve escapes. British records, (c.120), widely scattered from [[Scilly Isles|Sicilly]] north to [[Shetland]] and throughout the year. Has bred in the Canaries and [[Cape Verde Islands]] and the first breeding for the [[Balearic Islands]] was recorded on [[Mallorca]] in 1997. | |
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| + | A native of Africa and Asia, the Cattle Egret found its own way to the Americas, arriving in the northeast of South America in 1877. It first arrived the USA in 1941 and nesting was noted in 1953. During the next 50 years its population expanded, making it one of the most numerous North American herons. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Nominate race is found over most of range. Race ''coromandus'' with stronger golden breeding plumage occurs in southern Asia and intermediate race ''seychellarum'' is found in the Seychelles. | Nominate race is found over most of range. Race ''coromandus'' with stronger golden breeding plumage occurs in southern Asia and intermediate race ''seychellarum'' is found in the Seychelles. | ||
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Freshwater margins and open grasslands. Often associates with cattle and other livestock; and also wild ungulates, frequently close to human habitation. Breeds colonially in trees, usually close to water but often seen far from water at other seasons. | Freshwater margins and open grasslands. Often associates with cattle and other livestock; and also wild ungulates, frequently close to human habitation. Breeds colonially in trees, usually close to water but often seen far from water at other seasons. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Many populations are dispersive and undergo rather random movements, while others are more strongly migratory. | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
The Cattle Egret’s feeding grounds are usually under 20km from roost site. Typically hunts by walking steadily and stabbing at prey. It feeds on insects, especially grasshoppers, locusts and beetles. | The Cattle Egret’s feeding grounds are usually under 20km from roost site. Typically hunts by walking steadily and stabbing at prey. It feeds on insects, especially grasshoppers, locusts and beetles. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | # | + | # Beaman, M., S. Madge, K.M. Olsen. 1998. Fuglene i Europa, Nordafrika og Mellemøsten. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gads Forlag, ISBN 87-12-02276-4 |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Bubulcus+ibis}} | {{GSearch|Bubulcus+ibis}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Bubulcus]] [[Category:Bird Songs]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Bubulcus]] [[Category:Bird Songs]] | ||
Revision as of 02:25, 15 January 2009
- Bubulcus ibis
Identification
Length 48-53 cm, wingspan about 90-96 cm (nominate race). The Cattle Egret has a compact build with white plumage, yellow bill, and mostly yellow legs. One characteristic feature is the short stubby bill with obvious feathering extending out along the lower mandible to the mid point. When breeding, buff plumes develop on the crown and lower back, and parts of the breast also develop buff tones (or in some birds, more rusty-brown). In high breeding, bill and legs become reddish; however, this is held much shorter than the plumage. Females in winter plumage lack extended throat feathers seen in the male, but otherwise, the sexes are similar. Juvenile birds have a greyish-black wash to bill and legs.
Distribution
Cattle egret is found almost around the globe in tropical, subtropical, and warmer temperate areas.
Occurs widely in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Sudan and south to South Africa including Madagascar and the Seychelles. Also breeds in north-west Africa, Iberia and parts of southern France.
Has recently has begun breeding in the Canary Islands, and in western, central and northern France, Belgium, on Sardinia and around the eastern Mediterranean in Turkey, the Middle East and Egypt. Small numbers breed in the Volga Delta of Russia.
In Asia breeds throughout the Indian Subcontinent east to China and southern Japan and south to Indonesia, New Guinea and throughout Australia except the most arid interior.
Also widespread in the Americas. In North America occurs from south-east Canada south to Florida and the Gulf Coast and in the west breeds in California and Utah and regularly occurs north to British Columbia during post-breeding dispersal.
Found throughout Mexico, Central America and the West Indies and in South America extends south to northern Argentina.
Recorded as a vagrant in most European countries where not regular, north to Iceland, Scandinavia and Poland, and also in the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands but some reports may involve escapes. British records, (c.120), widely scattered from Sicilly north to Shetland and throughout the year. Has bred in the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands and the first breeding for the Balearic Islands was recorded on Mallorca in 1997.
A native of Africa and Asia, the Cattle Egret found its own way to the Americas, arriving in the northeast of South America in 1877. It first arrived the USA in 1941 and nesting was noted in 1953. During the next 50 years its population expanded, making it one of the most numerous North American herons.
Taxonomy
Nominate race is found over most of range. Race coromandus with stronger golden breeding plumage occurs in southern Asia and intermediate race seychellarum is found in the Seychelles.
Habitat
Freshwater margins and open grasslands. Often associates with cattle and other livestock; and also wild ungulates, frequently close to human habitation. Breeds colonially in trees, usually close to water but often seen far from water at other seasons.
Behaviour
Many populations are dispersive and undergo rather random movements, while others are more strongly migratory.
Diet
The Cattle Egret’s feeding grounds are usually under 20km from roost site. Typically hunts by walking steadily and stabbing at prey. It feeds on insects, especially grasshoppers, locusts and beetles.
Breeding
Colonial nester, usually with other waterbirds. Nest are built from collected or stolen (from other nests) dry sticks, weed stems and reeds; occasionally lined with grass.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Bubulcus ibis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Beaman, M., S. Madge, K.M. Olsen. 1998. Fuglene i Europa, Nordafrika og Mellemøsten. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gads Forlag, ISBN 87-12-02276-4
