"trees or shrubs. Two to five eggs are laid, the clutch size varying with region. Intermediate egret The intermediate egret, median egret, smaller egret, or yellow-billed egret (""Ardea intermedia"") is a medium-sized heron. Some taxonomists put the species in the genus ""Egretta"" or ""Mesophoyx"". It is a resident breeder from east Africa across the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia and Australia. This species, as its scientific name implies, is intermediate in size between the great egret and smaller white egrets like the little egret and cattle egret, though nearer to little than great. It is about long with a wingspan"
"Egretta Egretta is a genus of medium-sized herons, mostly breeding in warmer climates. The genus name comes from the Provençal French for the little egret, ""aigrette"", a diminutive of ""aigron"", ""heron"". Representatives of this genus are found in most of the world, and the little egret, as well as being widespread throughout much of the Old World, has now started to colonise the Americas. These are typical egrets in shape, long-necked and long-legged. A few plumage features are shared, although several have plumes in breeding plumage; a number of species are either white in all plumages, have a white morph"
"cascade down an egret's back during the breeding season. Several of the egrets have been reclassified from one genus to another in recent years: the great egret, for example, has been classified as a member of either ""Casmerodius"", ""Egretta"" or ""Ardea"". In the 19th and early part of the 20th century, some of the world's egret species were endangered by relentless plume hunting, since hat makers in Europe and the United States demanded large numbers of egret plumes, leading to breeding birds being killed in many places around the world. Several ""Egretta"" species, including the eastern reef egret, the reddish"
"Slaty egret The slaty egret (""Egretta vinaceigula"") is a small, dark egret. It is one of the species to which the ""Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds"" (AEWA) applies. It is classified as Vulnerable, the biggest threat being habitat loss. Until 1971, the slaty egret and more widespread black egret ""Egretta ardesiaca"" were thought to be colour morphs of the same species but the slaty egret shows consistent features which separate it from the black egret. These are the yellow legs and the vinous brown throat of the slaty egret, which extends down right onto the belly in"
"behind the eye, while the intermediate's is less pointed and ends below the eye. The intermediate tends to stalk upright with neck extended forward. The great is more patient, often adopting a sideways-leaning ""one-eyed"" stance. Little egrets have yellow-soled feet and black bills. They often run after fish in shallow water. Breeding birds have long nuptial plumes on the back of their heads. The intermediate egret stalks its prey methodically in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields. It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. It often nests in colonies with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in"
"in the genus ""Egretta"". Rare cases of hybridization with little blue herons ""Egretta caerulea"", little egrets ""Egretta garzetta"" and snowy egrets ""Egretta thula"" have been recorded. The cattle egret is a stocky heron with an wingspan; it is long and weighs . It has a relatively short thick neck, a sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The non-breeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the bill, legs and irises become bright red for a brief"
"This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, ibises, and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight. The great egret walks with its neck extended and wings held close. The great egret is not normally a vocal bird; it gives a low, hoarse croak when disturbed, and at breeding colonies, it often gives a loud croaking ""cuk cuk cuk"" and higher-pitched squawks. The great egret is generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, occurring worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. It is ubiquitous across the Sun Belt of the United States"
"Heron The herons are the long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 64 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genera ""Botaurus"" and ""Ixobrychus"" are referred to as bitterns, and, together with the zigzag heron, or zigzag bittern, in the monotypic genus ""Zebrilus"", form a monophyletic group within the Ardeidae. Egrets are not a biologically distinct group from the herons, and tend to be named differently because they are mainly white or have decorative plumes in breeding plumage. Herons, by evolutionary adaptation, have long beaks. The"
"These are powerful birds with large spear-like bills, long necks and long legs, which hunt by waiting motionless or stalking their prey in shallow water before seizing it with a sudden lunge. They have a slow steady flight, with the neck retracted as is characteristic of herons and bitterns; this distinguishes them from storks, cranes, flamingos and spoonbills, which extend their necks. Some members of ""Ardea"" are clearly very closely related, such as the grey, great blue, and cocoi herons, which form a superspecies. However, the great egret, in particular, has been placed in other genera by various authors as"
"(""A. alba""), than to the majority of species termed egrets in the genus ""Egretta"". Rare cases of hybridization with little blue herons ""Egretta caerulea"", little egrets ""Egretta garzetta"" and snowy egrets ""Egretta thula"" have been recorded. The cattle egret is a stocky heron with an wingspan; it is long and weighs . It has a relatively short thick neck, a sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The non-breeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the"
"and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. The great egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with colder winters. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. In 1953, the great egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent the killing of birds for their feathers. On 22 May 2012, a pair of great egrets was announced to be nesting in the UK for the first time at the Shapwick"
"Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, not all of which are closely related. Most of the 60 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just 14 species can be found—2 in North America, 9 in Central and South America, and 3 in Australia. Eagles are large, powerfully built birds of prey, with heavy heads and beaks. Even the smallest eagles, such as the booted eagle (""Aquila pennata""), which is comparable in size to a common buzzard (""Buteo buteo"") or"
"herds. The cattle egret is a popular bird with cattle ranchers for its perceived role as a biocontrol of cattle parasites such as ticks and flies. A study in Australia found that cattle egrets reduced the number of flies that bothered cattle by pecking them directly off the skin. It was the benefit to stock that prompted ranchers and the Hawaiian Board of Agriculture and Forestry to release the species in Hawaii. Not all interactions between humans and cattle egrets are beneficial. The cattle egret can be a safety hazard to aircraft due to its habit of feeding in large"
"classification of the individual heron/egret species is fraught with difficulty, and no clear consensus exists about the correct placement of many species into either of the two major genera, ""Ardea"" and ""Egretta"". Similarly, the relationships of the genera in the family are not completely resolved. However, one species formerly considered to constitute a separate monotypic family, the Cochlearidae or the boat-billed heron, is now regarded as a member of the Ardeidae. Although herons resemble birds in some other families, such as the storks, ibises, spoonbills, and cranes, they differ from these in flying with their necks retracted, not outstretched. They"
"(e.g. reddish egret), or have a white juvenile plumage (little blue heron). The breeding habitat of ""Egretta"" herons is marshy wetlands in warm regions. They nest in colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. These herons feed on insects, fish, and amphibians, caught normally by cautious stalking. As with other heron groupings, the taxonomy of these birds has been a source of dispute. Some of these species have been placed with the great herons in ""Ardea"", and conversely, the large white species such as thegreat egret are occasionally allocated to ""Egretta"". The"
"Pied heron The pied heron (""Egretta picata""), also known as the pied egret is a bird found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea. The species was originally described by ornithologist John Gould in 1845. Recent taxonomists put this species in the genus ""Egretta"". There are no recognised subspecies. It is a small heron, 43–55 cm long, with dark slaty wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck. The appearance is similar to the white-necked heron. Males (247–280 g) are heavier than females (225–242 g),"
"it became a major craze and the number of egret skins passing through dealers reached into the millions. This is thought to have contributed to the decline of all of the white ""Egretta"" species. The greatest modern threat is habitat loss and reclamation of tidal flats and estuarine habitats, and through pollution. Chinese egret The Chinese egret or Swinhoe's egret (""Egretta eulophotes"") is a threatened species of egret from east Asia. The Chinese egret averages 68 cm in height. The plumage is white throughout the bird's life and resembles the little egret ""Egretta garzetta"". Outside the breeding season the bill"
"Elegant parrot The elegant parrot (""Neophema elegans"") is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Australia. The elegant parrot was originally named by the renowned ornithologist and artist John Gould in 1837, its specific name Latin for ""elegant"". It is one of six species of grass parrot in the genus ""Neophema"", and within it a member of the subgenus ""Neonanodes"". Its common name is elegant parrot, but has also been called elegant parakeet, elegant grass parakeet, and grass parrot in the past. The elegant parrot is long and predominantly golden olive in colour with a"
"heron. 1–2 blue-green eggs are laid in a shallow platform of sticks. It feeds on insects, frogs, crabs, fish and other small aquatic animals. Insects are the most important source of food. It may feed alone or in groups of up to a thousand individuals. Pied heron The pied heron (""Egretta picata""), also known as the pied egret is a bird found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea. The species was originally described by ornithologist John Gould in 1845. Recent taxonomists put this species in the genus"
"can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like nonbreeding adults. Differentiated from the intermediate egret (""Mesophoyx intermedius"") by the gape, which extends well beyond the back of the eye in case of the great egret, but ends just behind the eye in case of the intermediate egret. It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted."
"fact that some members of the genus have common names of ""heron"" and some of ""egret"" , causes further confusion in differentiating between this genus and ""Ardea"". A fossil species, ""Egretta subfluvia"", is known from the Late Miocene or Early Pliocene of Florida. Egretta Egretta is a genus of medium-sized herons, mostly breeding in warmer climates. The genus name comes from the Provençal French for the little egret, ""aigrette"", a diminutive of ""aigron"", ""heron"". Representatives of this genus are found in most of the world, and the little egret, as well as being widespread throughout much of the Old World,"
"Chinese egret The Chinese egret or Swinhoe's egret (""Egretta eulophotes"") is a threatened species of egret from east Asia. The Chinese egret averages 68 cm in height. The plumage is white throughout the bird's life and resembles the little egret ""Egretta garzetta"". Outside the breeding season the bill is dusky with the basal portion being flesh coloured and the lores and legs are yellow-green, while the iris is yellow. All individuals are similar in this season. In the breeding season the adults develop a luxuriant crest which is sometimes over 11 cm long. It also develops long lanceolate plumes on"
"the result is a fascinating dance. Due to its bold, rapacious yet graceful feeding behavior, author Pete Dunne nicknamed the reddish egret ""the Tyrannosaurus Rex of the Flats"". It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects. The bird's usual cry is a low, guttural croak. Reddish egrets' breeding habitat is tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. These colonies are usually located on coastal islands. These birds have raucous courtship displays. They generally involve shaking of the head during the greeting ceremony, followed by chases and circle flights. They"
"egret, little egret, greater flamingo, white-headed duck, ferruginous duck, Eurasian spoonbill, glossy ibis, houbara bustard, great black-headed gull, slender-billed gull, squacco heron, common crane, demoiselle crane, slender-billed curlew, black stork, red-breasted goose, lesser white-fronted goose, lesser kestrel, whooper swan, tundra swan, osprey, pallid harrier, short-toed eagle and many others. The pygmy cormorant was observed sporadically before 1999 and more regularly after that. Cattle egret is observed since 1990 between April and September (as most other migratory birds in this area), with the total population of several dozen couples. It feeds on frogs, mollusks and small fish. Upstream, there are more"
"The cattle egret may also show versatility in its diet. On islands with seabird colonies, it will prey on the eggs and chicks of terns and other seabirds. During migration it has also been reported to eat exhausted migrating landbirds. A conspicuous species, the cattle egret has attracted many common names. These mostly relate to its habit of following cattle and other large animals. The cattle egret is a popular bird with cattle ranchers for its perceived role as a biocontrol of cattle parasites such as ticks and flies. A study in Australia found that cattle egrets reduced the number"
"Hieraaetus The genus Hieraaetus, sometimes known as hawk-eagles, denotes a group of smallish eagles usually placed in the Buteoninae or Aquilinae subfamilies of accipitrids. They are medium-sized birds of prey inhabiting Europe, Asia, Africa, New Guinea and Australia. A recently-extinct species, the New Zealand Haasts eagle, was the largest eagle ever known, weighing up to , with a wingspan. Some authorities retain Bonelli's eagle and the African hawk-eagle in ""Hieraaetus"". Also, some retain Wahlberg's eagle in ""Aquila"", whilst still recognizing ""Hieraaetus"" as a separate genus. Molecular genetic research has found ""Hieraaetus"" to be polyphyletic with ""Aquila"". The British Ornithological Union"
"egret (""Egretta garzetta""); osprey (""Pandion haliaetus""); grey-faced buzzard (""Butastur indicus""); buff-banded rail (""Gallirallus philippensis""); barred rail (""Gallirallus torquatus""); white-breasted waterhen (""Amaurornis phoenicurus""); greater painted-snipe (""Rostratula benghalensis""); Kentish plover (""Charadrius alexandrines""); greater sand plover (""Charadrius leschenaultia""); whimbrel (""Numenius phaeopus""); common greenshank (""Tringa nebularia""); grey-tailed tattler (""Heteroscelus brevipes""); ruddy turnstone (""Arenaria interpres""); spotted dove (""Spilopelia chinensis""); fork-tailed swift (""Apus pacificus kanoi""); house swift (""Apus affinis""); collared kingfisher (""Todiramphus chloris""); Pacific swallow (""Hirundo tahitica""); elegant tit (""Parus elegans""); orange-flanked bush robin (""Tarsiger cyanurus""); Asian glossy starling (""Aplonis panayensis""); crested myna (""Acridotheres cristatellus""); pygmy flowerpecker (""Dicaeum pygmaeum""); lowland white-eye (""Zosterops meyeni""); and Eurasian tree"
"has undergone one of the most rapid and wide reaching natural expansions of any bird species. It was originally native to parts of Southern Spain and Portugal, tropical and subtropical Africa and humid tropical and subtropical Asia. In the end of the 19th century it began expanding its range into southern Africa, first breeding in the Cape Province in 1908. Cattle egrets were first sighted in the Americas on the boundary of Guiana and Suriname in 1877, having apparently flown across the Atlantic Ocean. It was not until the 1930s that the species is thought to have become established in"
"Lesser spotted eagle The lesser spotted eagle (""Clanga pomarina"") is a large Eastern European bird of prey. Like all typical eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. The typical eagles are often united with the buteos, sea eagles, and other more heavy-set Accipitridae, but more recently it appears as if they are less distinct from the more slender accipitrine hawks than believed. This is a medium-sized eagle, about in length and with a wingspan of . Its head and wing coverts are pale brown and contrast with the generally dark plumage. The head and bill are small for an eagle."
"East, much of Africa and southern Asia. Northern European populations are migratory, mostly travelling to Africa although some remain in southern Europe, while some Asian populations migrate to the Philippines. The eastern race, (""E. g. nigripes""), is resident in Indonesia and New Guinea, while ""E. g. immaculata"" inhabits Australia and New Zealand, but does not breed in the latter. During the late twentieth century, the range of the little egret expanded northwards in Europe and into the New World, where a breeding population was established on Barbados in 1994. The birds have since spread elsewhere in the Caribbean region and"
"Circaetus Circaetus, the snake eagles, is a genus of medium-sized eagles in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. The genus name is from the Ancient Greek ""kirkos"", a type of hawk, and ""aetos"", ""eagle"". These are mainly resident African species, but the migratory short-toed snake eagle breeds from the Mediterranean basin into Russia, the Middle East and India, and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and east to Indonesia. Snake eagles are found in open habitats like cultivated plains arid savanna, but require trees in which to build a stick nest. The single egg is incubated mainly or entirely by the female."
"that move at around 5–15 steps per minute, avoiding faster and slower moving herds; in Africa, cattle egrets selectively forage behind plains zebras, waterbuck, blue wildebeest and Cape buffalo. Dominant birds feed nearest to the host, and thus obtain more food. The cattle egret sometimes shows versatility in its diet. On islands with seabird colonies, it will prey on the eggs and chicks of terns and other seabirds. During migration It has also been reported to eat exhausted migrating landbirds. Birds of the Seychelles race also indulge in some kleptoparasitism, chasing the chicks of sooty terns and forcing them to"
"the area around a grazing animal against others of the same species, but if the area is swamped by egrets it will give up and continue foraging elsewhere. Where numerous large animals are present, cattle egrets selectively forage around species that move at around 5–15 steps per minute, avoiding faster and slower moving herds; in Africa, cattle egrets selectively forage behind plains zebras, waterbuck, blue wildebeest and Cape buffalo. Dominant birds feed nearest to the host, and obtain more food. The cattle egret may also show versatility in its diet. On islands with seabird colonies, it will prey on the"