| Antigua
Birds: |
CATTLE
EGRET
(Local name: GAULIN)
Family: Ardeidae
Bubulcus ibis
This is the only heron that is
not a wader, usually being found in
grassland in association with cattle. The
species name is the name of the sacred
Egyptian bird. These egrets have a
wingspan of about 3 feet and are about 20
inches tall. They weigh about 12 oz. |
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Photo by Peter Duce |
This
is a common Antiguan bird often seen perched on
the backs of cattle, waiting for grasshoppers and
other insects on the ground roused as cattle walk
and graze. They also eat spiders, frogs and
crickets.
Egrets were self-introduced from Africa to the
Western Hemisphere, probably being scattered by
storms. The first were seen in South America
about 1887-92, but were reported in the Caribbean
from 1933. Now they can be seen as far north as
Canada.
Cattle Egrets nest in colonies of between 200-300
birds in Antiguan and Barbudan mangroves. Every
evening they are seen in flocks going to these
colonies to roost. In mating time the males
gather twigs and the females build the nests, at
the same time warding off thieving birds. Two to
six light blue eggs are laid which take about 22
days to incubate. This is the only heron able to
breed in its first year. The birds are silent
except for a croaking sound in nesting season.
The young are able to fly reasonably well in 60
days and off they go!Click here for more Antigua
birds.
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