DISTRIBUTION:

The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is natural to Africa and Asia, but it has dispersed to be now practically present in every continent except Antarctica, to which it has also migrated but not survived the severe winters.

DISPLACEMENTS:

After breeding some of the members of this species disperse to very far locations. They do not show any specific pattern or destination during this displacement, some flying over the seas and oceans. At the en of the 19 century, somehow, the cross over the Atlantic Ocean reaching South America. From there they have spread to the entire New World and beyond.

ELEVATION:

Normally from sea level to 2200 meters, although documented up to 4500 meters.

HABITAT:

Dry fields where the grass is not too high.

BEHAVIOR:

Gregarious. Could be seen from a single one to very large congregations.

REPRODUCTION:

This is a colonial breeder, the colonies sometimes counting several thousand pairs. The nest is usually done on trees or bushes in the proximity of water. The clutch is one to nine light blue or light greenish blue eggs. Incubation takes from 21 to 25 days. The youngsters leave the nest when they are about 45 days old.

DESCRIPTION:

In length it reaches from 46 to 53 cm. Males are slightly bigger, with a weight of about 390 grams, while the females weight about 340 grams.

FOOD:

This egret eats insects and other invertebrates that it catches in the fields.

OTHER NAMES:

The Cattle Egret in Spanish is called “Garcilla Bueyera”, “Garcilla Ganadera”, “Garcita Bueyera” and “Garza Boyera”.