Western Cattle Egret
Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Senyati Camp, Botswana, April 2023.
The Western Cattle Egret is easily recognized by its foraging association with grazing animals and its exaggerated, head-pumping strut. Derivation of the scientific name: Bubulcus from Latin “belonging to cattle” and ibis from Greek referring to its slightly decurved bill like that of ibis.
This species began its remarkable range expansion in the late 1800s: dispersing throughout the African continent into southern France and the Volga Delta in the 1950s and Middle and North America in the early 1950s - early 1970s. ts rapid expansion is well documented and studied, encouraging speculation about those aspects of its life history and ecology that have most promoted growth in range and numbers. Apparent keys to its spread and success are its dispersal tendencies, gregariousness, diet, foraging adaptability—especially as humans increasingly convert large areas of landscape to pasture for livestock production and to crop fields for rice agriculture—and its breeding adaptability and success.
Western Cattle Egret
Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Senyati Camp, Botswana, April 2023.
The Western Cattle Egret is easily recognized by its foraging association with grazing animals and its exaggerated, head-pumping strut. Derivation of the scientific name: Bubulcus from Latin “belonging to cattle” and ibis from Greek referring to its slightly decurved bill like that of ibis.
This species began its remarkable range expansion in the late 1800s: dispersing throughout the African continent into southern France and the Volga Delta in the 1950s and Middle and North America in the early 1950s - early 1970s. ts rapid expansion is well documented and studied, encouraging speculation about those aspects of its life history and ecology that have most promoted growth in range and numbers. Apparent keys to its spread and success are its dispersal tendencies, gregariousness, diet, foraging adaptability—especially as humans increasingly convert large areas of landscape to pasture for livestock production and to crop fields for rice agriculture—and its breeding adaptability and success.