The Cattle Egret is a common, gregarious and widespread egret known for its short neck, yellow bill, and tendency to follow large animals or machinery for insects in grasslands, paddy fields and wetlands. In breeding season, they develop striking orange-buff plumes on the head, neck, and back, with reddish legs and bill.
Native to Africa and Asia, they’ve expanded globally, reaching the Americas, Australia, and beyond, often aided by agricultural landscapes.
A very common breeding resident in whole of Seberang Perai, with an estimated 1,000 nest at the heronary at Penaga, with other smaller heronary throughout Seberang Perai.
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cattle-egret-bubulcus-ibis
At Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda: a resident and an abundant nester. In June 2025 MNS counted about 2,000 Cattle Egret nests in the mangroves. Nesting is busiest from April to June. See When to see shorebirds at Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda.
It is not permitted to use the contents of this website for advertising, marketing, or the sale of products and services without prior authorisation from MNS. Please contact mnspenang@yahoo.com.