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Western Cattle-Egret

Ardea ibis

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
Western Cattle-Egret, photographed by El Golli Mohamed

Photo: El Golli Mohamed · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Western Cattle-Egret

Small, compact white heron with relatively short yellow bill. More frequently seen in dry habitats than other egrets. In breeding season, look for pale salmon color on head and breast and brighter bill. Leg color varies from reddish or yellow during the breeding season to black during the nonbreeding season. Juveniles have dark bill. Always note relatively short, thick neck and short legs compared with other egrets. Often gathers in flocks, frequently following cattle or tractors in fields.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 184 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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