Nesting colonies and breeding ecology of the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) in northern and northeastern Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9492.18.9.29606-29616Keywords:
Ardeidae, active breeding colony, breeding success, habitat, heronry, nest, nesting site, spatial distribution, waterbirds, wetlandAbstract
A study on the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis was conducted between March 2017 and August 2023 in northern and northeastern Bangladesh to document the nesting sites and breeding biology of this species. A total of 218 colony sites were identified, of which 56.42% were active breeding ones, 17.43% night roosting, and 26.15% abandoned ones. The active breeding colony sites occupied 107.06 ha, with 1.10 ha of government land and 105.96 ha of private land. Active nesting sites ranged from 2–150 years old. The most active breeding colonies were found in Rajshahi (41) and Sylhet (41), followed by Rangpur (21) and Mymensingh (20). A total of 29,412 nests were counted, with Rajshahi at 38.29% (n = 11,262), Sylhet at 29.47% (n = 8,669), Rangpur at 19.49% (n = 5,731), and Mymensingh at 12.75% (n = 3,750). Paddy fields were the preferred habitat (77.50%), followed by wetlands (10.94%), mixed agriculture (5.51%), tea gardens (3.74%), mango orchards (1.95%), and homesteads (0.36%). Breeding occurred from April to July, with colony sizes ranging from 2–2,260 nests. A total of 29,412 active nests were counted from 1,963 plants of 42 species, with a preference for Bamboo (76.32%), followed by Mango (7.77%), Jackfruit (3.14%), and Tamarind (2.51%). They usually laid 3–4 eggs in 4–8 days, with an incubation period of 25–29 days. Chicks fledged after 35–45 days, and breeding success was 63.50%.
References
Abdullah, M.R. et al. (2017). Habitat ecology and breeding performance of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 49(5): 1863–1870. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/2017.49.5.1863.1870
Ballerini, T. et al. (2009). Nonlinear effects of winter sea ice on the survival probabilities of Adélie penguins. Oecologia 161(2): 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-009-1387-9
Begum, S. (2008). Bubulcus ibis, pp. 309. In: Siddiqui, K.U. et al. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 26. Birds. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 556 pp.
Bharti, R. (2024). Breeding Rate and Nesting in Cattle Egret (Bubulcus Ibis) During the Year 2022-23 on a major heronry in Southern Part of Punjab, province of India. International Journal of Scientific Development and Research 9(10): 564–573.
Bibby, C.J. et al. (2000). Bird census techniques, 2nd Edition. Birdlife International and Academic Press, London, 277 pp.
BirdLife International (2024). Species factsheet: Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Downloaded on 6.xi.2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cattle-egret-bubulcusibis
Brown, L.H. et al. (1982). The Birds of Africa: Volume I. Academic Press, London, 333 pp.
Burger, J. et al. (1992). Heavy metal and selenium levels in young Cattle Egrets from nesting colonies in the northeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Egypt. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 23(4): 435–439. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203806
Byju, H. et al. (2023). An annotated checklist of the avifauna of Karangadu mangrove forest, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, with notes on the site’s importance for waterbird conservation. Journal of Threatened Taxa 15(3): 22813–22822. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8356.15.3.22813-22822
Byju, H. et al. (2024). Avifaunal diversity assessment and conservation significance of Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu: insights about breeding waterbirds. Journal of Threatened Taxa 16(9): 25802–25815. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8999.16.9.25802-25815
Byju, H. et al. (2025a). Disappearing colonies: temporal decline in abundance and nesting of waterbirds in a key Indian wetland. Wetlands Ecology and Management 33: 47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-025-10067-y
Byju, H. et al. (2025b). The avifauna of Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu along the southeast coast of India: waterbird assessments and conservation implications across key sanctuaries and Ramsar sites. PeerJ 13: e18899. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18899
del Hoyo, J. et al. (eds.) (1992). Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, 696 pp.
Dusi, J.L & R.D. Dusi (1970). Nestling success and mortality of nestlings in a Cattle Egret colony. The Wilson Bulletin 82: 458–460.
Franchimont, J. (1985). Biologie de la reproduction du heron gardeboeufs (Bubulcus ibis) dans une héronnière mixte du nord-ouest marocain. Aves 22: 225–247.
Fujioka, M. (1984). Asynchronous hatching, growth and survival of chicks of the cattle egret Bubulcus ibis. Japanese Journal of Ornithology 33(1): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3838/jjo1915.33.1
Gawlik, D.E. (2006). The role of wildlife science in wetland ecosystem restoration: Lessons from the Everglades. Ecological Engineering 26(1): 70–83.
Geering, D.J. (1993). The Effect of drought-breaking rain on the re-establishment of Egret colonies in north coastal new south Wales. Corella 17(2): 47–51.
Grimmett, R. et al. (1999). Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 384 pp.
Hancock, J. & J. Kushlan (1984). The Herons Handbook. Croom Helm, London, 288 pp.
Hafner, H. (1978). Composition, reproductive success, and growth of a Cattle Egret colony in Camargue, southern France. Alauda 46(4): 339–346.
Higgott, C.G., K.L. Evans & B.J. Hatchwell (2020). Incubation in a temperate passerine: do environmental conditions affect incubation period duration and hatching success? Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 8: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.542179
Hilaluddin, K.R. et al. (2003). Nest site selection and breeding success by Cattle Egret and Little Egret in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India. Colonial Waterbirds 26(4): 444–448. https://doi.org/10.1675/1524- 4695(2003)026[0444:NSSABS]2.0.CO;2
Issaa, M.A.A. et al. (2023). Bioecology and breeding performance of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in selected sites at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Brazilian Journal of Biology 83: e271632. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.271632
Iyer, M.K. (2004). Nesting of Phalacrocoracidae, Threskiornithidae and Ardeidae at Ahmedabad Zoo. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 44(3): 43–44.
Joshi, P. & V.K. Shrivastava (2012). Breeding biology and nest site selection of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in Tawa Reservoir and surrounding area of Hoshangabad District (M.P). Asian Journal of Experimental Biological Sciences 3: 525–530.
Katuwal, H.B. et al. (2022). Factors affecting the breeding ecology of the globally threatened Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus in agricultural landscapes of Nepal. Avian Conservation and Ecology 17(2): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02235-170215
Kelly, J.P. & T.E. Condeso (2014). Rainfall effects on Heron and Egret nest abundance in the San Francisco Bay area. Wetlands 34: 893–903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-014-0551-0
Kour, D.N. & D.N. Sahi (2013). Aspects of breeding biology of Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis coromandus (boddaert) in Jammu, India. International Journal of Environmental Sciences 3(5): 1547–1561. https://doi.org/10.6088/ijes.2013030500025
Kushlan, J.A. & J.A. Hancock (2005). The Herons. Oxford University Press. Oxford, 454 pp.
Krueger, R.A. & M.A. Casey (eds.) (2014). Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. Sage Publications, Inc., Newbury Park, California, 280 pp.
Mckilligan, N. (2000). Population dynamics of the Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) in south-east Queensland: a 20-year study. Emu - Austral Ornithology 101: 1–5.
Metallaoui, S. et al. (2020). Breeding ecology of the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in Guerbes-Sanhadja wetlands of Algeria. Regional Studies in Marine Science 33: 100979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100979
Naher, H. (2015). Bubulcus ibis, pp. 235. In IUCN Bangladesh. Red List of Bangladesh, Volume 3: Birds. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 676 pp.
Novel, K.D. & D.N. Sahi (2013). Aspects of breeding biology of Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis coromandus (Boddaert) in Jammu, India. International Journal of Environmental Sciences 3(5): 1547–1561.
Ogden, J.C. (1994). A comparison of wading bird nesting colony dynamics (1931–1946 and 1974–1989) as an indication of ecosystem conditions in the southern Everglades, pp. 533–570. In: Davis S.M. & J.C. Ogden (eds.). Everglades: The Ecosystem and Its Restoration. St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, Florida, 860 pp.
Omar, M. & A. Hassan (2019). Monthly, Seasonal Fluctuations and Breeding Season Studies of Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis ibis (L.) at Tahta District, Sohag Governorate. Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology 10(6): 327–330. https://doi.org/10.21608/jppp.2019.48301
Patankar, P. et al. (2007). Ecology and Breeding Biology of the Cattle Egret Bubulcus Ibis in an industrial area at Vadodara, Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal 22(11): 2885–2888. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1566.2885-8
Petry, M.A. & V.S.D.S. Fonseca (2005). Breeding success of the colonist species Bubulcus ibis and four native species. Acta Zoologica 86: 217–221.
Sbiki, M. et al. (2015). Population increase and nest-site selection of Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis at a new colony in drylands of north-east Algeria. Ostrich 86(3): 231–237. https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2015.1067931
Si-Bachir, A. et al. (2008). Nest Site Selection and Breeding Success in an Expanding Species, the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Ardea 96(1): 99–107. https://doi.org/10.5253/078.096.0111
Siegfried, W.R. (1972). Breeding success and reproductive output of the Cattle Egret. Ostrich 43: 43–55.
Snow, D.W. & C.M. Perrins (1998). The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Volume 1: Non-Passerines. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1008 pp.
Telfair II, R.C. & T.J Bister (2004). Long-term breeding success of the cattle Egret in Texas. Waterbirds 27(1): 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2004)027[0069:LBSOTC]2.0.CO;2
Telfair R.C. II (1994). Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), no. 113. In: Poole A. & F. Gill (eds.), The Birds of North America. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, & The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.
Watts, B.D. & M.U. Watts (2018). Assessing the status and distribution of nesting herons in urban areas of lower Tidewater, Virginia (2018 breeding season). Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series, CCBTR-18-11. College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University, Williamsburg, Virginia, 9 pp.
Wayne, J.A. & A.A.I. Rendt (1988). Aspects of the Breeding Biology of the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in Montserrat, West Indies, and its impact on nest vegetation. Colonial Waterbirds 11(1): 72–84.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Allama Shibli Sadik, M. Monirul H. Khan, M. Kamrul Hasan, Fahad Hossain Haider, M. Sher-E-Afgan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors own the copyright to the articles published in JoTT. This is indicated explicitly in each publication. The authors grant permission to the publisher Wildlife Information Liaison Development (WILD) Society to publish the article in the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The authors recognize WILD as the original publisher, and to sell hard copies of the Journal and article to any buyer. JoTT is registered under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY), which allows authors to retain copyright ownership. Under this license the authors allow anyone to download, cite, use the data, modify, reprint, copy and distribute provided the authors and source of publication are credited through appropriate citations (e.g., Son et al. (2016). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the southeastern Truong Son Mountains, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(7): 8953–8969. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2785.8.7.8953-8969). Users of the data do not require specific permission from the authors or the publisher.
