Birds


Lesser Pied Kingfisher | Crimsonbreasted Barbet | Common Hoopoe
River Tern | Indian Robin | Oriental Magpie-Robin | Indian Roller
Cattle Egret | Redvented Bulbul | House Sparrow | Grey Tit
Common Myna




Photograph by T.N.A. Perumal, F.R.P.S., M.F.I.A.P.

Cattle Egret

» SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bubulcus ibis
» KANNADA NAME: Jaanuvaaru Bellakki
» HINDI NAME: Surkhia bagla, Gai-bagla

Commonest of the egret species seen in Bangalore, cattle egrets are social birds. Generally found in flocks, they are often seen riding on the backs of cattle or hopping about in their midst.

Colour and description: Hen-sized. Pure white with a yellow beak. In breeding plumage, its neck, head and back become an orange-buff colour. Males and females look alike.

Call: A deep, harsh croak made in flight.

Food: Insects, frogs and lizards. Community feeding is characteristic of the species.

Nesting season: November to March. Male and female share incubation and parental duties.

Nest: In mixed colonies with other birds. Prefers large leafy trees, not necessarily near water. Nest is made of twigs. The highly ceremonial bowing and rising act performed when one of the birds visits the nest with new nesting material is a wonderful scene to behold.

Eggs: Three to five, pale blue.