Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

This adaptable white heron has a knack for following large animals, snatching up insects disturbed by their movement.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Cattle Egret is a compact, white heron with a robust yellow bill and yellowish-black legs. During the breeding season, adults develop buff-colored plumes on their heads, necks, and backs, giving them a golden glow.

Non-breeding adults and juveniles are entirely white. The species shows no significant sexual dimorphism, with males and females appearing nearly identical. Females are usually smaller, however.

Size

Length

46cm to 56cm

Wingspan

88cm to 96cm

Weight

270g to 512g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White

Secondary Colour

Buff

Beak Colour

Yellow Orange

Leg Colour

Yellow Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cattle Egret can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cattle Egret can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cattle Egret can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cattle Egret is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Cattle Egrets inhabit many open habitats, including pastures, wetlands, and agricultural lands. They're found across six continents, with significant populations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

They're common in the southern United States and parts of Australia and have established populations in the UK. Their distribution can vary seasonally, with some populations undertaking short-distance migrations.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cattle Egret. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons