|
|
|
Western Cattle Egret
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a gregarious, white, upland ardeid, easily recognized by its foraging association with grazing animals and its exaggerated, head-pumping strut. The Cattle Egret’s Arabic name, Abu Qerdan, means “father of ticks” and refers to the abundance of ticks in Egyptian heronries. Other names involving the word tick, such as Tick Bird, refer to the erroneous belief that Cattle Egrets pick attached ticks from grazing animals; most Cattle Egrets’ prey, however, are insects disturbed by the birds’ grazing activity.
In recent studies it has been strongly suggested that there are two species of Cattle Egret; Eastern (B. coromandus) from Asia and Australia and Western Cattle Egret (B. ibis) from Africa and the Americas. Indeed the International Ornithological Congress split the species in 2006 based on breeding plumage and behavioural differences. Whilst the split has not been universily accepted by ornithologists, it does have significant backing.
This species began its remarkable worldwide range expansion in the late 1800s, and on the North America and Australian continent in the early 1950s; there, in about 40 years, it became common in many regions and is still colonizing new areas. Its rapid, almost worldwide range expansion is well documented and studied, encouraging speculation about those aspects of its life history and ecology that have most promoted growth in range and numbers. Indeed, this unusual bird has provided a rare opportunity for comparative worldwide studies of its population dynamics and its interactions with native colonial waterbirds, as well as with people.
As with the Hooded Crow I posted a few days ago, this one was captured on Crocodile Island in the Nile River.
References: Telfair II, Raymond C. 2006. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; ( Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:)
Gill, F., Wright, M. & Donsker, D. (2009). IOC World Bird Names (version 2.1).
( Available here ) |
nasokoun, SelenE, maurydv, boreocypriensis, siggi has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
hello Chris
beautiful scene and pose, very good management and background,
very fine capture
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos
Absolutely PERFECT Chris !
The exposure is awesome...detail all over,and a good sense of movement while still sharp.
Perfectly composed too.
A ++++ megaheaps !
Cheers
Steve
- PeterZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2380 W: 94 N: 5487]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(17484) - [2009-06-15 5:06]
-
Hello Chris,
Beautiful photo in pleasant light and natural colours. Good contrasts against the BG. Excellent sharpness and details. Great low POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter
Ciao chris, beautiful egret in nice pose, perfect focus on eye, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
-
- SelenE
(13820)
- [2009-06-15 13:11]
-
Hi Chris,
Nice POV, composition, exposure control and details.
TFS
All the best,
Selen
Hello Chris,
a wonderful picture of the Cattle Egret taken from an excellent POV with outstanding sharpness and lighting, splendid natural colours, a very nice dynamic composition.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio
-
- joey
(24727)
- [2009-06-15 15:22]
-
Hi Chris,
A cracking shot of this Cattle Egret!
Excellent composition.
Very sharp and detailed.
Nice work mate!
Joe
Hi Chris,
Grat capture of this lovely Egyptian cattle egret with great details, sharpness, fine POV, lovely pose and nice composition.
TFS and have a nice day MF!
Cheers,
Bayram
-
- siggi
(16082)
- [2009-06-21 12:45]
-
Hello Chris,
Fine porrait of a Cattle Egret with very good sharpness and an excellent pose against the contrasting BG.
Best regards Siggi
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 794 W: 0 N: 1174]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(4077)