Planning a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Western Cattle Egret in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Western Cattle Egret are most active during the day (06:00 to 18:00).
This is Western Cattle Egret's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Western Cattle Egret in Rietvlei Nature Reserve: best roads
Drive
Acacia Route, Vleiroete Road and Main Road run through open grassland: good country for Western Cattle Egret.
- Acacia Route7.4 km · open grassland
- Vleiroete Road5.7 km · open grassland
- Main Road4.6 km · open grassland
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Western Cattle Egret have actually been seen recently.
About the Western Cattle Egret
The western cattle egret is a small, stocky white heron that has become one of the most widespread herons in the world. It is commonly found in grassland, savanna, wetlands and agricultural areas, frequently walking alongside cattle and other large mammals to catch prey disturbed by their movement. Its diet consists mainly of insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, with frogs and small vertebrates also taken. During breeding, adults develop orange-buff colouring on the head, neck and back.
How to identify the Western Cattle Egret
Medium-sized white egret with a yellow bill and dark legs, often with a yellowish or orange-buff head and breast during breeding. Commonly seen walking among cattle, buffalo, elephants and other large mammals.
Other species to look for in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Other parks where you can see Western Cattle Egret
Heading to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? opspoor shows where Western Cattle Egret have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.