5

Cattle Egret

(Ardea ibis)
Size: 48-53 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Cattle Egrets are found mostly in south-eastern Australia including inland the Murray-Darling basin and the Great Dividing Range. They also inhabit the southern coastline from the Eyre Peninsula via the south coast of VIC and NSW - including the Bass Strait and Tasmania - up the east coast and the hill ranges of the Great Dividing Range in QLD. Also found in the tropical north of the NT and along the southern end of the Gulf and Carpentaria and the southern half of Cape York. In WA found in the south-western corner and along parts of the Fitzroy River.

Cattle Egrets are found in the shallows of various kinds of freshwater wetlands and on grassland, often around cattle.

Sightings

Cattle Egrets were first spotted by us in February 2008, on Narrabri Lake in the township of Narrabri, after substantial rainfalls. Spotted there on several occasions until at least October 2008. Then seen again in the same location during the 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons.

L. Tonnochy reports sightings of Cattle Egrets 20 km north of Townsville, QLD, in January 2011.

Photos

Frontal view of a Cattle Egret in breeding plumage

Frontal view of a bird spreading its wings; in the background a pair of nesting Australian White Ibises

Lateral view of a Cattle Egret in breeding plumage

And here a bird seen from behind

Cattle Egret doing what its name says it's got to do...

Cattle Egret on a meadow; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy

Cattle Egret moulting into its breeding plumage

Cattle Egret (right) and Intermediate Egrets (left) perched on reeds growing in Narrabri Lake

Here one seen from straight underneath

Lateral view of a Cattle Egret in flight

Slightly different perspective

Cattle Egret in flight carrying nesting material

This photo allows a comparison of the relative sizes of a Cattle Egret (centre), a Great Egret (left) and an Intermediate Egret (right); all of them are searching for nesting material under a tree after a violent storm

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - Oct Eggs: 3 - 6 Incubation period: 25 days Fledging age: 42 days

The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. In the tropical north Cattle Egrets breed Mar - May. They breed in colonies, together with other aquatic birds.

These birds, observed at Narrabri Lake in early September 2011, are just moulting back into their breeding plumage

Nest

Type: Basket Material: Sticks, lined with leaves Height above ground: 3 - 15 m

Cattle Egrets nest in trees along the banks of freshwater courses, lakes or dams.

Seen nesting, together with other aquatic birds, along the shores of Narrabri Lake during the breeding season of 2008 and subsequent years.

Frontal view of a Cattle Egret on its nest

Example of colonial nesting

Eggs

Size: 45 x 34 mm Colour: Light blue Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Migratory Elementary unit: Flock

As their name already suggests, Cattle Egrets follow cattle in order to pick off animals that are disturbed in tall grass.

Here an example of Cattle Egrets feeding together

Food

All egrets and herons prey on aquatic creatures in fresh water or estuaries (fish, frogs, snakes or crustaceans). Cattle Egrets specialise in small prey, including large insects, that is disturbed by large mammals, but will hunt without "aid" as well.