Cattle Egrets

The cattle egret is only one of several long-legged herons that occur in Texas, and the only one that spends more time in grassland habitats than in wetlands. The other two all-white herons - great and snowy egrets - frequent ponds, streams, or wetlands, feeding on fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. Cattle egrets feed principally on insects and other invertebrates that they find in fields and on cattle. The larger great egret is recognized by its heavy yellow bill and blackish legs, while the much smaller snowy egret has a black bill, black legs, and yellow feet. The small, more compact cattle egret is all white with a heavy yellow bill; the exception is during the nesting season when breeding adults put on orangish feathers on their breast, shoulders, and head.