The short, thick-necked Western cattle egret spends most of its time in fields rather than streams. It forages at the feet of grazing cattle, head bobbing with each step, or rides on their backs to pick at ticks. During breeding season, this stocky white heron has yellow plumes on its head and neck. Originally from Africa, it reached North America in 1953 and quickly spread across the continent. Elsewhere in the world, it forages alongside camels, ostriches, rhinos, tortoises, and farmers’ tractors.
