Cattle Egret – Male in breeding plumage fleeingBubulcus ibis April – Texas L=20” ...... WS=36” ....... WT= 12 oz Order: Ciconiiformes (Herons, Ibises, Storks, New World Vultures, Allies) Family:Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, Bitterns) Cattle Egrets are unique among North American herons, bitterns and egrets in that they commonly forage alongside grazing cattle or behind farm equipment, both of which stir up insects. They are frequently seen standing on the backs of the grazing animals, which display little hostility to the egrets.
Cattle Egret – Male in breeding plumage foragingBubulcus ibis April – Texas L=20” ...... WS=36” ....... WT= 12 oz Order: Ciconiiformes (Herons, Ibises, Storks, New World Vultures, Allies) Family: Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, Bitterns)
Semipalmated Plover – ForagingCharadrius semipalmatus September – Nova Scotia L=7.5” ...... WS=19” ...... WT=16 oz Order: Charadriiformes (Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, Allies) Family:Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) The Semipalmated Plover is a common shorebird whose population appears to be increasing – unusual for a plover. Possible explanations for this increase is increased nesting sites in the subarctic due to habitat disturbances by humans and arctic geese, its widespread winter distribution (along the entire Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico), and flexibility as regards food sources.
