Cattle Egret

Description:

The cattle egret is a stocky heron with an 88–96 cm (34+1⁄2–38 in) wingspan; it is 46–56 cm (18–22 in) long and weighs 270–512 g (9+1⁄2–18 oz). It has a relatively short, thick neck, a sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The nonbreeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill, and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast, and crown, and the bill, legs, and irises become bright red for a brief period prior to pairing.[15] The sexes are similar, but the male is marginally larger and has slightly longer breeding plumes than the female; juvenile birds lack coloured plumes and have a black bill. Wikipedia

Habitat:

This Cattle Egret was spotted in long grasses behind our house. This is rice land, but was overgrown by wild vegetation after the harvest season. I chose to upload these pictures because I have always seen this species on the ground, on top of cattle or in flight. However, on this occasion, I think I may have startled it because it quickly took to the air and flew up into some tree bordering the rice land. It remained perched for some time. I am told that this "perching" is common behaviour, but this was the only time I have witnessed it.