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Cattle Egret

The Cattle Egret is a small, white heron that is native to Africa but has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe. It is often seen near grazing animals, such as cattle, horses, and goats, and is known to feed on insects and other small animals that are disturbed by the grazing activity.

 

The Cattle Egret has a compact body and short, thick bill that it uses to capture its prey. It has white plumage and yellow legs, and during the breeding season, it develops a distinctive orange-brown patch of feathers on its head, neck, and back.

 

Cattle Egrets are social birds and often nest in large colonies, building their nests out of sticks and other materials in trees, bushes, or on the ground. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks, which are born with downy feathers and open eyes.

 

Cattle Egrets are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural fields. They are known for their adaptability and have successfully expanded their range to many new areas, where they have become a common sight near farms and ranches.

 

Cattle Egrets play an important ecological role by feeding on insects and other small animals that can damage crops and pastures. They are also a popular species among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts due to their distinctive appearance and interesting behavior.

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Uploaded on February 2, 2019
Taken on December 28, 2018