CATTLE EGRET

 

  (*216)                  CATTLE EGRET           Bubulus ibis   

USA            15

The cattle egret  is a cosmopolitan clade of heron in the genus Ardea found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones. According to the IOC bird list, it contains two species, the western cattle egret and the eastern cattle egret, although some authorities regard them as a single species. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it actually belongs to the genus Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.

EASTERN CATTLE EGRET

Photographed on the outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia, November 2023

 (*  216)                EASTERN CATTLE EGRET               Bubulcus coromandus

CAMBODIA                 52

Found in grasslands and pastures as well as nearby wetlands such as rice paddies; seeks company of cattle or buffalo feeding on the insects they disturb. 50-55 cm. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the western cattle egret and the eastern cattle egret. 

EASTERN CATTLE EGRET

Photographed at Westport, South Island, New Zealand, April, 2019

(*  216)                 EASTERN CATTLE EGRET                Ardea ibis or Bubulcus coromandus

NEW ZEALAND                 117

Uncommon Australian migrant. Usually associated with livestock, especially cattle, in damp pasture. May return to same farms for autumn and winter year after year.

EASTERN CATTLE EGRET

Photographed in Kuala Lumpa, March 2017

(*  216)                EASTERN CATTLE EGRET               Bubulcus coromandus

MALAYSIA                 5

Found in grasslands and pastures as well as nearby wetlands such as rice paddies and former tim mine pools; seeks company of cattle or buffalo feeding on the insects they disturb. 50-55 cm. Near global distribution; mostly a migrant to Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak.

CATTLE EGRET

Photographed in Sri Lanka, March 2017

(*   216)                    CATTLE EGRET                  Bubulus ibis

SRI LANKA                        7

Usually associated with cattle; found in paddy fields, marshes, damp grassland and garbage dumps. 48-53 cm. Common breeding resident in lowlands; also a large number of winter migrants arrive across the country.

CATTLE EGRET

(*  216)                         CATTLE EGRET                 Bibulous ibis

NEPAL                 80

Inhabits damp grassland, paddy fields, lakes, pools and marshes. 48-53 cm. Common and widespread resident.

NOTE: Eastern Cattle Egret if eastern form coromandus is split.

EASTERN CATTLE EGRET

Subspecies coromandus photographed in Singapore November 2016

(see  216)                 CATTLE EGRET                Bibulous coromandus

SINGAPORE               (94)

Common migrant; found mostly in grasslands, occasionally freshwater marshes, avoids salt water, rarely seen on coastal mudflats; in Singapore often seen foraging near grass-cutters and lawnmowers. 52 cm. Widespread across Indian sub-continent, E and Southeast Asia, east to Australia; partly introduced in Singapore.

CATTLE EGRET

Photographed in Denpasar, Bali October 2016

(see  216)                 CATTLE EGRET                Bubulcus ibis

INDONESIA (Bali)         (10)

Frequents open country, especially large grassy lowlands and flooded fields; often follows cattle around, catching insects, frogs and insects that the animals stir up as they graze. Range: worldwide warm climates, nomadic: Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi, generally common and locally abundant throughout Sundra and Wallacea.

CATTLE EGRET

216              CATTLE EGRET         Ardea ibis

Australia          (216)

48-53 cm, span c. 90 cm.  Range from the Kimberley to coastal se. and around to Adelaide, also in sw WA and Tasmania. Originally came to NT from Indonesia in 1940s. Found in stock paddocks, pastures, croplands, wetlands, tips and drain ways.

Cattle Egret in breeding plummage, photographed in Nepal.

Cattle Egret in breeding plummage, photographed in Nepal.

Cattle Egret in breeding plummage, photographed in Nepal.