The commonest and also the most sociable of our egrets and herons. During the breeding season (summer and monsoon) its otherwise snow white plumage acquires a buff wash over the head, neck, and parts of the breast and back. The name comes from its habit of following cattle and lunching off the insects they disturb. Cattle Egrets have recently expanded their range out of India and Africa to China, Australia, and the Americas. This explosion is described in the following article:

African Egrets? Holy Cow! by Les Line.