True to its name, the Cattle Egret often strays from the aquatic habitats typical of its family and follows livestock in fields, snatching insects and other small animals stirred up by the herd. Plain white through much of the year, the egret adopts distinctive tawny accents in the breeding season.
Western Cattle-Egret
Ardea ibis
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Western Cattle-Egret
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Data Deficient
Confidence: Data Deficient
Goal
To be determined
The Western Cattle Egret is native to parts of Africa and Europe, but naturally colonized North America beginning in the 1950s. It rapidly expanded its range over the next couple of decades, with some reaching Canada. The first Canadian breeding record was in 1962 (Telfair, 2006) and there continue to be annual sightings, but most observations come in spring and fall, and the species has yet to become established in Canada as a regular breeder. Even in peak years, the number of individuals present is almost certainly <0.01% of the global population, and Canada is therefore considered to have very low responsibility for the species. Western Cattle Egret remains insufficiently established in Canada to have any basis for estimating trends or establishing long-term goals.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
200
Annual
200
Global
48,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Wetland Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Western Cattle-Egret. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/g8db-v064
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
True to its name, the Cattle Egret often strays from the aquatic habitats typical of its family and follows livestock in fields, snatching insects and other small animals stirred up by the herd. Plain white through much of the year, the egret adopts distinctive tawny accents in the breeding season.
Distribution and Occurrence
46015
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Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Wetland Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Western Cattle-Egret. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/g8db-v064