The cattle egret really gets around.
Originally, this bird was only found in Africa, Asia and southern Europe, but in the late 1870s, it first showed up in South America.
It is speculated a flock may have been caught up in a tropical storm that moved them across the Atlantic. Keep that in mind during this season of hurricanes and storms. Truly, an ill wind does sometimes blow good.
First record of the bird in North America came in Massachusetts in 1952 and first sighting in Texas came on Mustang Island in 1955. Since then, it has spread across the state, including into our area.
Roughly the size of the snowy egret, the cattle egret has yellow bill and legs. It becomes flushed with red in breeding season and sprouts buff-colored plumes on the head, shoulders and breast.
This egret feeds mostly in fields and pastures and is not as dependent on water as most other herons. As suggested by its name, the cattle egret is often found among bovines, and it counts on cattle to scare up insects which it pounces on for food.
I last saw cattle egrets just outside Luling. I was on my way to a barbecue joint and did not tarry long to observe the flock in a farmer’s field.
Too bad for me. These are interesting, handsome birds and deserve to be studied and admired.
On the other hand, good barbecue is also a thing worth admiring, so I’ll just recommend you try to see them after lunch.
