The Cattle Egret is a relative newcomer, only arriving in Florida in the early 1940’s. A native of Africa, the Cattle Egret is believed to have flown from that continent to South America in the mid 1800’s, eventually migrating northward all the way to Alaska. The most terrestrial of all the herons, Cattle Egrets feed primarily on insects, and can frequently be seen following cattle and farm machinery while feeding on the insects stirred up by their movement.

The Cattle Egret is a small, all white bird with an orange to yellow bill and legs. During the breeding season a buff coloration appears on the crown, back, and chest, with the bill and legs turning a vivid red. A prolific nester, they will build in any place that can support a nest, and prefer large colonies mixed with other wading birds. At Gatorland, the Cattle Egret can be found nesting throughout the entire Breeding Marsh area, with March through July being the most active months. The clutch size is usually 3-4 eggs, with the young becoming fully independent after 45-50 days.

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