Cattle egret – Jack

Scientific name :

Bubulcus ibis

Common name :

cattle egret

Native to :

Africa, also common in Europe, particularly in France

Maximum size :

50 cm

Weight :

350 g

Conservation status :

Least Concern

Reproduction :

when nesting, the male has an orange plumage, while his beak and legs turn red. The female lays three or four eggs in a nest which she makes herself; the male brings the materials for its construction. After 22 to 26 days of incubation, the baby heron comes out of the egg and is fed by both parents. After a month, baby birds try to take flight!

Diet :

omnivorous (insects, fish, worms, fruit, vegetables, plants – and biscuits!)

Characteristics :

this heron lives near streams and grasslands where it takes advantage of the presence of livestock to feed on worms and other insects. A colony can include up to a thousand individual birds!

Location in the Tropical Reserve :

the birds are free to fly; their nests are in the roof of the hothouse – you can take a closer look at them during the daily event on Bird Island