Western Cattle Egret
Western Cattle Egret (<em>Ardea ibis</em>) is a species of Herons, Bitterns (<em>Ardeidae</em>) in the order Pelicans and Allies.
Overview
Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) is a species of Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) in the order Pelicans and Allies. A stocky white heron that follows cattle and other large grazers, catching insects flushed from grass; buff plumes in breeding season; one of the most successful and widespread herons, spreading across continents.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Ardea; binomial: Ardea ibis; authority: Linnaeus, 1758. Typical size: 48-53cm. Average lifespan: 5-10 years.
Distribution
Breeding range: the Palearctic, Africa, the Nearctic, Middle America and South America.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
Change English name of Bubulcus ibis to (Western) Cattle Egret with split of B. coromandus. Includes questionally valid subspecies seychellarum (Vaurie 1963; Kushlan & Hancock 2005; Dickinson & Remsen 2013) which is recognized by some authorities (e.g. Skerrett & Disley 2011). Phylogenetic analysis based on UCE elements reveals that Bubulcus is embedded in Ardea (Hruska et al. 2023). Move Western Cattle Egret from Bubulcus to Ardea (Chesser et al. 2024).
