Stronghold population
False
Regionally significant/rationale
False
Restricted distribution/rationale
False
Historical abundance
Increasing
Overall distribution
Colonised the Northern Territory (probably from Indonesia) in the 1940s as part of worldwide expansion. Now widespread from Kimberleys (WA) to coastal south-east Australia
Local distribution
Common in grasslands and terrestrial wetlands
Known location
Springbrook, Coomera, Carrara, Upper Mudgeeraba, Pine Ridge CP, Hope Island, Eagleby, Guanaba, Pimpa
Other locality
Very common in paddocks and swamp margins, wherever cattle are grazing.
General ecology
Paddocks, parks, margins of streams and swamps. Usually feeds at the feet of cattle.
Habitat comment
Not originally found in Australia, has spread and become very common in paddocks feeding amongst cattle. May compete with native egrets.
Threats
Loss and degradation of habitat due to: Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and other uses; grazing by feral and domestic stock; water pollution, particularly sedimentation.
Management
Where ever possible the following suggested objectives and guidelines should be followed:
Objectives:
1. Protect known nesting and roosting sites for this species.
2. Avoid disruption to essential behavior patterns during breeding and nesting.
Guidelines:
1. Survey to locate individuals and breeding colonies
2. Establish protection zones around breeding colonies.
Diet
Insects and small aquatic animals
Breeding season
March to May
Behaviour
Follow stock which disturb insects and other small prey which the Cattle Egret snaps up.
Nest is made up of a small untidy platform of sticks in foliage in swamp woodland, usually in the company of other Cattle Egrets.
Biology
Identification: Length 50 cm. Body white; bill and eye yellow; stout grey legs. Bill short and stout . Breeding plumage; spikey orange-buff plumes on head, breast and back.
Citations
Pizzey & Knight 1997, Reader's Digest 1988, Stanger et.al. 1998.
