CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis
Despite originating in Africa, the adaptable Cattle Egret has managed to increase its distribution on the back of extensive cattle ranching to become almost a cosmopolitan species. The first individuals arrived in South America in Brazil in the early 1960s, but it is now one of the most widespread species on the continent often seen perching on the backs of cattle as they graze. Non-breeding birds are wholly white, while breeding birds adopt buffy-cinnamon patches on the crown and breast.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE157PH) Flock loafing, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith March 2007).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE158PH) Flock in flight with single Cocoi Heron, location unknown (Arne Lesterhuis undated).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE422PH) Flock in breeding plumage, Madrejón, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Paul Smith November 2010).
VIDEO - (FPAVE423VI) Same flock as (FPAVE422PH) (Paul Smith November 2010).
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Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith and Arne Lesterhuis and is used with their permission.
Bubulcus ibis
1 (FPAVE159RE) Calls from a loafing flock recorded PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith March 2007).
Click the link to hear the call. Longer versions of this call can be downloaded from the Paraguay page of our partner website Xeno-Canto - the largest collection of freely downloadable Neotropical bird calls available online.
