# Bubulcus ibis The Bubulcus ibis, also known as the cattle egret, is a white bird often seen near farms and fields. It loves to follow cows and other animals to catch insects that fly up when they walk. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Bubulcus ibis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bubulcus_ibis_coromandus.JPG&width=800) Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bubulcus_ibis_coromandus.JPG) ## Appearance The Bubulcus ibis is a small, stocky white heron with a short, thick yellowish bill and yellow legs. During breeding season, it sports beautiful buff-orange plumes on its head, neck, and back, making it stand out from other white egrets. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Ardeidae - **Genus:** Bubulcus ## Interesting facts - Cattle egrets first appeared in the Americas less than 100 years ago, quickly spreading! - Sometimes, egrets will snatch ticks directly off the backs of their animal companions! - These clever birds often hitch rides on large animals, saving energy while searching for food! - Thousands of cattle egrets can gather nightly in huge communal roosting trees! ## Special abilities - **Insect Magnet:** Bubulcus ibis can often be found near large grazing animals because they disturb insects, helping the egret find food easily. - **Stamping Hunter:** Bubulcus ibis can stamp its feet on the ground to make hidden insects and worms emerge, which helps them catch a meal. - **Feather Fanfare:** Bubulcus ibis has unique breeding plumage that turns buff-orange, helping them show off and attract a mate. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-56 cm - **Wingspan:** 88-96 cm - **Weight:** 0.27-0.51 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-15 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 23-26 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds mainly eat insects disturbed by grazing animals, but also snack on small vertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Grasshoppers, Crickets, Flies, Beetles, Frogs, Lizards - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Domestic Cattle (*Bos taurus*) — Eats insects stirred up as cattle graze. - **Eats:** American Grasshopper (*Schistocerca americana*) — Feasts on grasshoppers and other large insects. - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Eggs and chicks can be predated by alligators. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bubulcus ibis? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bubulcus ibis? 46-56 cm ### What is Bubulcus ibis's wingspan? 88-96 cm ### How much does Bubulcus ibis weigh? 0.27-0.51 kg ### How long does Bubulcus ibis live? 7-15 years ### How fast can Bubulcus ibis move? 35 km/h ### What does Bubulcus ibis eat? These birds mainly eat insects disturbed by grazing animals, but also snack on small vertebrates. ### Where is Bubulcus ibis usually found? Grasslands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bubulcus ibis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bubulcus-ibis)