Egret (Cattle)

 

The Cattle Egret is native to Africa and Asia, and only reached the Americas in the late 19th century. It was first found in north-eastern South America in 1877, having probably arrived there from Africa. It reached the United States in 1941, and started nesting by 1953.

In the next 50 years it became one of the most abundant of the North American herons. It has occurred all the way to Alaska and Newfoundland, and has bred in nearly all states.

Cattle Egret is more at home foraging in grass than in water. It follows cattle, horses, and tractors to catch the insects they stir up. It also is attracted by smoke from a large fires. Egrets come from long distances to catch insects trying to escape the fire. (Cape Coral, FL)