Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis): Photos, Range and Facts

Overview

The western cattle egret (Ardea ibis) is a species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Formerly, most taxonomic authorities lumped this species and the eastern cattle egret together (called the cattle egret), but the two cattle egrets are now treated as separate species. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Africa, southwest Asia and southern Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the New World in the last century.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Southern Europe eastward to Iran, and Africa, Madagascar, and islands in western Indian Ocean (Seychelles, Aldabra, Comoros, and Mauritius); colonized the New World in the 20th century, now widespread in North and South America; introduced to the Hawaiian Islands; partially migratory in North America and southern Africa.

Western Cattle Egret

Overview

Range and habitat

Continents

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Sources and further reading