Age differences in Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis foraging with wild ungulates in Kenya

Cattle Egrets flying

Cattle Egrets flying

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Science Article 10

abstract

The foraging behavior of adult and juvenile Cattle Egrets was studied at Nairobi Park, Kenya. Egrets fed on insects scared up by foraging Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest and Hartebeest. Adults attempted to capture more items, capture more items, and had higher capture success rates than juveniles, although the number of steps taken per minute was equal. Choice of host species and foraging location (by host head, front or hind legs) differed between adults and juveniles. A higher proportion of adult Cattle Egrets fed with Buffalo compared to young.

Burger J. & Gochfeld M, ARDEA 77 (2): 201-204

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