Chris
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Posts: 490
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Chris on Mar 18, 2022 20:32:54 GMT
After heavy rain in December, we were graced by the presence of some beautiful migrating birds feeding in a field opposite my house. I managed to get a few snaps of them, but when I was about 30 yards away they got scared and flew off. It's the first time I saw this species. After some Googling, I believe they are called "Cattle Egrets". I suspect they were feeding on insect larvae in the water. Kind regards Chris 
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Post by BuckSkin on Mar 18, 2022 21:27:01 GMT
I believe they are called "Cattle Egrets"
I hadn't really realized they had disappeared from the scene; but, after seeing your photos, I am reminded that I haven't seen one in thirty or more years.
Now I am wondering if it may have something to do with all of the pour-on wormers and de-grubbers, plus the advent of plastic "fly-tags"
Even with all of the treatments and insecticides, the flies are just as thick as they ever were; so, maybe the dope has affected the birds and made them seek their flies elsewhere.
I will say this, you will think the sprays and fly-tags are ineffective due to the amount of flies tormenting animals; but, look at one that has none of this protection and the flies will absolutely be eating them alive.
I keep three fly-tags on my horse all summer long, two on his head and one braided in his tail; I replace them about every six weeks.
With the fly-tags, he will have about a hundred flies tormenting him; if for whatever reason, I let him go for a day without the tags, there will be ten million flies trying to eat him alive. |
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Chris
Established Forum Member
Posts: 490
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Chris on Mar 19, 2022 8:35:03 GMT
Thank you Buckskin for this information. Now, I know why they are called, "Cattle Egrets". I guess they performed a valuable service to the cattle before the days of insecticides.
Kind regards
Chris
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Post by cats4jan on Mar 19, 2022 12:21:50 GMT
More info ebird.org/species/categrBecause we have many areas that have grazing cattle, I often see the ones with orange on their neck and head - turns out, these are breeding males Why is it that the males get all the beautiful colors???Well - I actually know why  - my comment is more a jealousy thing
These guys often walk around our yards - it's so nice to see them up close But, where are my photos? I just have to have photos/layouts somewhere |
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Post by BuckSkin on Mar 19, 2022 13:07:03 GMT
Because we have many areas that have grazing cattle, I often see the ones with orange on their neck and head - turns out, these are breeding males In my time, I have hauled load after load of cattle and dumped them out in the infested swamps of Deland and over along the Panhandle. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the cattle, leaving some not-so-miserable place and getting kicked out in the heat and heinous humidity, with mosquitoes and biting flies trying to eat their eyeballs out, and poisonous snakes waiting in every mouthful of saw-bladed swamp grass, and Alligators just waiting for them to get thirsty, and no escape nor relief anywhere. Florida had these impossible-to-pass livestock inspection stations on I-75, where you were lucky to get through without getting locked up and paying every dime you would make in the next five years for some silly fine; and, at the same time, I could breeze in and out of Florida on any other road anywhere and, other than maybe seeing a sign, never know that a state line had been crossed. More Cattle Egret Info-1, INFO-2, and INFO-3. Wikipedia said they were Cosmopolitan Herons and made me have to look up that two-dollar word "Cosmopolitan" --- the meaning is not nearly so impressive as the word; it is probably good that I learned a new word; it may show up in an entry exam at the Pearly Gates. |
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- my comment is more a jealousy thing