Just a few days before we left Portugal in April we spied a heronry of cattle egrets on the wild patch of ground behind the apartments. It had been a very wet April and so small lakes had appeared. Perfect for Cattle Egrets!
Their Portuguese name is Garça-boieira, and their scientific name is Bubulcus ibis. You may have also heard them called cow crane or even elephant bird from their trait of following animals and removing insects and ticks from them.
I was so delighted by seeing the beginnings of their glorious summer plumage I completely failed to take a photograph of the whole heronry!
Still as you can see I did manage to capture two in one shot and also took a rather lovely one of the meadow grasses, and a couple of photographs of another Egret species as well as a few other birds who were taking advantage of the water and insects. There would have been more, but it was at this point I realised the insects were taking advantage of us so we returned rapidly to the apartment!
They are handsome birds aren’t they? I’d get eaten alive near that water!
Very handsome . . . and yes so do I. We have just so tasty, that’s what i say to myself anyway!!
I love stalking Cattle Egrets. MY quest is an Egret on the back of a cow 🙂
Ooh I have some of those somewhere! I’ll try and find them for you ☺️
Beautiful captures! 😊
Is this a young one? He looks rather handsome 🙂
He’s gorgeous isn’t he. Definitely an adult because of plumage but could be in his first year. I don’t know how to tell with egrets, now if it been a flamingo I could have told you straight off!
Elegant birds
They are wonderful aren’t they. Such fun to watch too.
Lovely photos of these beautiful birds: it looks like the perfect spot for them. I also liked the meadow flowers.
They were loving it. So many insects as we soon discovered!
PS and yes the flowers were fabulous. The Algarve in spring is stunning.
Lovely pictures, I can almost hear the birds. And I’ve learned a new word ‘heronry’, so not just pleasurable but educational.
Fab word isn’t it! And so happy you’ve enjoyed this one. I can’t wait to return to my Portuguese bkogging.
The birds are lovely but I particularly like the meadow blooms. The flowers are so delicate.
You’re going to love my next post then! The flower meadow on our short hill walk was incredible. I didn’t know what to do with myself it was so lovely!
Looking forward to it.
Yes, I spotted the second one 😊 its enjoyable watching birds in their natural habitat. Good post, Becky.
Thank you Suzanne, and well spotted!