The Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. They follow large animals or farm machines around to catch insects. It is estimated that they gather 50% more food using only two-thirds as much energy when feeding with livestock – Cattle Egrets greatly reduce the number of flies that bothers cattle by pecking them off their skin. The Cattle Egret has gone through one of the most rapid natural expansion of any bird. Originally native to Africa and Asia, it has expanded its range around the world. Its Arabic name Abu Gerdan, means 'father of ticks', a name derived from the large number of parasites found in its breeding colonies.
