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Eastern Cattle Egret (Ardea coromanda) Alternate name(s): "Cattle Egret*" Size: 48-53 cm; wing span 88-96 cm Body mass: 270-510 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: ca. 0.33

Australia: Family Group 5 Family Group 5 Table Great Egret Plumed Egret Eastern Cattle Egret Little Egret Eastern Reef Egret Great-billed Heron White-faced Heron White-necked Heron Pied Heron Rufous Night Heron Little (formerly Striated) Heron Black Bittern Australian Little Bittern Australasian Bittern Royal Spoonbill Yellow-billed Spoonbill Australian White Ibis Straw-necked Ibis Glossy Ibis Black-necked Stork Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Eastern Cattle Egrets are the medium-size egrets. Their plumage is all-white during the non-breeding season. For the breeding season they grow long, orange-brown scapular and frontal plumes, which extend to the head as well. The straight yellow bill is short and thick, with prominent feathers under the lower mandible reminiscent of a "beard". The irises are yellow; the legs and feet are greenish-grey.

Taxonomy, classification See Eastern Cattle Egret at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information The Eastern Cattle Egret has now been given species status and is no longer considered to be a race of the Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis).

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Eastern Cattle Egret is available HERE . The Eastern Cattle Egret is found all year round in Pakistan, India and continental South-east Asia, plus some of the South-east Asian islands. During the breeding season they extend their range to also include southern China, South Korea and southern Japan. Part of this population spends the northern winter in parts of Indonesia and southern New Guinea. There is also a large population in Australia. In Australia, Eastern Cattle Egrets are found mostly along the coastline of south-eastern Australia, but also (mostly when not breeding) inland, e.g. in the Murray-Darling basin and the Great Dividing Range. They also inhabit the southern coastline from Eyre Peninsula via the South coast of VIC and NSW - including the Bass Strait and Tasmania - up the East coast and the hill ranges of the Great Dividing Range in QLD. Also found in the tropical North of the NT and along the southern end of the Gulf and Carpentaria and the southern half of Cape York peninsula. In WA they are found on the far south-western tip and along parts of the Fitzroy River. Eastern Cattle Egrets are found in the shallows of various kinds of freshwater wetlands such as freshwater lakes and on grassland, often on paddocks around cattle. Where to look? How to find this species? As their name already suggests, one easy way of potentially finding Eastern Cattle Egrets is by looking for white, approximately half-meter size birds following cattle (or other livestock) around their paddocks.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "ibis" Western Cattle Egrets were found by us in Europe. Race "coromanda" Eastern Cattle Egrets, race "coromanda", were first spotted by us in February 2008, at Narrabri Lake, Narrabri, NSW, after substantial rainfalls. Since then, they are regulars at Narrabri Lake and on paddocks with cattle on them in the wider Narrabri area. At Narrabri Lakethey are regularly found nesting, in a small colony together with other aquatic species, on a bird refuge island during the breeding season. L. Tonnochy reports sightings of Eastern Cattle Egrets, race "coromanda", 20 km West of Townsville, QLD, in January 2011. M. & B. Midkiff report spotting Eastern Cattle Egrets, race "coromanda", at Minden, QLD, in November 2013, where they were nesting at the time. J. Greaves reports spotting Eastern Cattle Egrets, race "coromanda", at Yellow Water billabong, Kakadu NP, NT, in November 2014. M. Eaton reports finding Eastern Cattle Egrets, race "coromanda", breeding in a wetland in Gatton, QLD, in December 2017. The species was also found at Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, in November 2023. At the time, they were breeding there.

Photos

Race "ibis"

Photos of the Western Cattle Egret were taken in Europe

Race "coromanda"

ADULT

BREEDING

PAIR

Pair of Eastern Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage mating on their nest; in this case the sexes are known...
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Pair of Eastern Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage with a "funky haircut" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Sex unknown

With nuptial flush

Comparative portraits of Eastern Cattle Egrets with normal breeding plumage and colours, left, and nuptial flush, during which irises, base of the bill and orbital ring (sometimes also the legs) turn reddish to purple, right; the nuptial flush remains for a period of only about a week
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2017]

Near-lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage looking sideways - note, in addition, the nuptial flush, i.e. reddish iris and base of the bill and the pinkish orbital ring, all of which are seen only during a short period prior to egg-laying
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2017]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage with nuptial flush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage with nuptial flush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage with nuptial flush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Near-dorsal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage with nuptial flush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Without nuptial flush

Close-up full-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Close-up near-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Near-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage studying the observer
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2017]

Close-up near-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Near-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Near-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret spreading its wings; in the background a pair of nesting Australian White Ibises
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2011]

Close-up lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Close-up lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Close-up lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage in a state of excitement
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2017]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage ready for take-off
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret (photo courtesy of M. & B. Midkiff)
[Minden, QLD, November 2013]

Near-dorsal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Dorsal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage
[Near Narrabri, NSW, November 2025]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret doing what its name says it's got to do...
[Near Narrabri, NSW, January 2011]

Dorsal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret "hitching a ride"
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret moulting into its breeding plumage
[Near Narrabri, NSW, September 2011]

Near-lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2011]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Lateral view of part of a flock of Eastern Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage in low flight above a cattle paddock
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2019]

NON-BREEDING

Close-up near-frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in non-breeding plumage in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2012]

Ventral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in non-breeding plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2012]

Lateral view of a small flock of Eastern Cattle Egrets in non-breeding plumage arriving at a fresh water lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Comparison of the relative sizes of a Eastern Cattle Egret (centre), a Great Egret (left) and an Plumed Egret (right); all of them are searching for nesting material under a tree after a violent storm
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral/near-dorsal view of two (probably young) Eastern Cattle Egrets - one hunched, one upright
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2012]

Dorsal view of a fledgling Eastern Cattle Egret looking sideways
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2013]

Near-dorsal view of a fledgling Eastern Cattle Egret that still had problems taking off from the ground
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2013]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - Oct

Eggs: 3 - 6

Incubation period: 25 days

Fledging age: 42 days

The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. In the tropical north Eastern Cattle Egrets breed Mar - May. They breed in colonies, together with other aquatic birds.

Eastern Cattle Egrets starting to moult into their breeding plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2011]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Sticks, lined with leaves

Height above ground: 3 - 15 m

Eastern Cattle Egrets nest in trees along the banks of freshwater courses, fresh water lakes or dams.

Eastern Cattle Egrets have been seen by us nesting, together with other aquatic birds, at Narrabri Lake during the breeding season of 2008/09 and most years since then. Until at least 2023, this is the only known location where Eastern Cattle Egrets breed regularly in inland NSW.

Close-up view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Close-up view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage on its nest, with its partner, with nuptial flush, in attendance
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Close-up frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Frontal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret on its nest
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2011]

Near-fledging age Eastern Cattle Egret chicks in their nest (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, January 2021]

Eastern Cattle Egret with two chicks in its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Lateral view of Eastern Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage on their nests
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2014]

Eastern Cattle Egret with two chicks in its nest - THAT is an umbrella... (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Eastern Cattle Egret shading its brood on a hot day
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2024]

Example of colonial nesting by Eastern Cattle Egrets
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2011]

Cut-out of a larger photo showing part of a breeding colony of Eastern Cattle Egrets
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2014]

Close-up view of a Eastern Cattle Egret nest
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2017]

Lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage carrying nesting material
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2010]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 49 x 34 mm

Colour: Light blue

Shape: Long elliptical

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Migratory/dispersive

Elementary unit: Flock

As their name already suggests, Eastern Cattle Egrets follow cattle in order to pick off animals that are disturbed in tall grass.

Small mob of Eastern Cattle Egrets feeding together
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2011]

Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage with a "funky haircut" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Pair of Eastern Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage with offspring that go to the same hairdresser... (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Food, Diet

All egrets and herons prey on aquatic creatures in fresh water or estuaries (fish, frogs, snakes or crustaceans). Eastern Cattle Egrets specialise in small prey, including large insects, that is disturbed by large mammals, but will hunt without "aid" as well.

Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage on the hunt (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage on the hunt (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Close-up dorsal view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage checking what potential prey is being disturbed
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage acquiring its target
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

categrt_20171124_3.m4a	coromanda (NW NSW)	Warning calls	© MD
categrt_20171124_5.m4a	coromanda (NW NSW)	Squabbling	© MD
categrt_20171124.m4a	coromanda (NW NSW)	Squabbling	© MD
categrt_20171124_2.m4a	coromanda (NW NSW)	Various (breeding colony)	© MD
categrt_20171124_6.m4a	coromanda (NW NSW)	?	© MD
categrt_20171124_7.m4a	coromanda (NW NSW)	?	© MD

More Eastern Cattle Egret sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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