Western Cattle Egret

Ardea ibis Linnaeus, 1758

Western Cattle Egret, Ardea ibis, is a heron in the family Ardeidae that breeds across southern Europe to Iran, Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, and from North to South America. It was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is now treated as distinct from the eastern cattle egret, after once being grouped with it. Closely allied to Ardea rather than Egretta, it has spread widely beyond its original range in Africa, southwest Asia and southern Europe. It nests in colonies near water, often with other wading birds, and uses open, drier habitats, including pastures and rice fields.

Order

Pelecaniformes

Family

Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns

Breeding range

Palearctic, Africa, North America, Middle America, South America: s Europe to Iran, Africa, Indian Ocean Is., North to South America