Western Cattle Egret (Veereier)

Description:

48–54 cm; 280–450 g A small, compact egret with a short bill, neck and legs. Legs olive-yellow; bill yellow. Ad. has buff plumes on crown, mantle and breast, forming a shaggy bib. Buff areas increase in br. season, but are never as extensive as in Squacco Heron . Pre-br. birds have red bill and legs and violet lores. Juv. has black legs at fledging, but these soon pale. Voice: Heron-like ‘aaaark' or ‘pok-pok'. Status and biology: Common; resident in parts of its range, migratory in others; birds ringed in Gauteng have been recovered north of its range; in a wide range of open habitats, including grassland, fields and coastline. Often uses large animals to flush prey, sometimes standing on animals and gleaning ectoparasites. Roosts in flocks, commuting up to 20 km to feeding areas. Breeds in colonies of up to 10 000 pairs in reeds or trees, usually with other egrets, herons, cormorants and ibises. (Veereier)