COLOUR AND FIRST AGE OF BREEDING IN CATTLE EGRETS AS DETERMINED FROM WING-TAGGED BIRDS
| Posted: |
10/09/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Max Maddock |
In a study of marked Cattle Egrets
Ardeola ibis returning to breeding colonies at the Shortland
Wetlands Centre and Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve, New South Wales, first-year birds were
classified into four colour categories 'white', 'pale'. 'full pale' and 'full coloured', with individuals of
each category successfully nesting and raising chicks. Colour did not appear to be a factor affecting
capability of breeding as breeding success of these birds was found to be compatible with whole
colony results at Shortland and Gatton, Queensland in previous seasons. All second-year birds were
found to be full coloured. The majority of returning first-year birds did not nest. Colour and sex
appeared to be independent. First-year birds comprized an estimated 13 per cent of b1rds in the
Seaham breeding colony and 57 per cent of foraging flocks in the vicinity of the breeding site.
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