Native Animals

Bubulcus ibis

Cattle Egret
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2016
QR Code
SSN 20935
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Taxonomy

Description

Bubulcus ibis is noticeably small and compact compared to other herons. This species can be found especially near the marshes, pools, rice fields, and grasslands (Strange & Jeyarajasingam, 1993). It gains its common name, Cattle Egret from its habit of commonly wandering alongside herds of cattle.

The Cattle Egret feeds mainly on a variety of insects, spiders, frogs and worms. It has medium length, broad and rounded wings and slightly different colour patterns between juvenile, adult and during breeding seasons. The juveniles have dark legs and bill whereas the adults are all white with yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. During breeding season, the Cattle Egret has golden plumage on their head, chest, and back. 

Habits

  Part Habit
 
Solitary   —   Single only.

Assessment

Year Published Assessment Red List Category Version
2016 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
3.1
2014 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1988 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A

Structure

Beak / Bill
Color
 
Yellow
Plumage
Color
 
White

Location

by State Location
  • Johore 2
  • Pahang 1
  • Penang 1
  • Perak 3
  • Sarawak 1
  • Federal Territories of Putrajaya 2
Based on publications, specimens, and images

Specimen

Collection Center   Total
1

Biodiversity Experts

Profile
Abdul Rahman (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Protected Areas
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Azmi Mat Ali (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds (Taxonomy)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Rodents
  • Treeshrews
  • Squirrels
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Data Analysis
  • Ecosystems
  • Taxonomy
  • PM
Ismail Bin Hj. Mamat (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Meor Amran Bin Meor Zulkifilee (Mr.)
Birdgroup Taman Negara (BGTN)
  • Birds
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Management
  • Tourism
  • PM
Mohammad Shahfiz Azman (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
  • Amphibians
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Reptiles
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Law and Policy
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Science
  • Systematics
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC)
  • National Policy on Biological Diversity
  • Policy
  • Research and Development (R&D)
  • Zoonotic
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Mohd Abdul Muin Bin Md Akil (Mr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Reptiles
  • Snakes
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular
  • Protected Areas
  • Climate Change
  • Invasive Alien Species
Rahmah Binti Ilias (Mrs.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Spiders
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • PM
  • W
Rosli Ramli (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • Protected Areas
  • Marine & Coastal
  • PM
  • W
Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli (Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Fishes (Ecology)
  • Molluscs (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Water
Yeap Chin Aik (Mr.)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Biological Resource
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Education
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Traditional Knowledge (TK)
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;

References

Article
  1. Hamza, A., David, G., McAfee, A. & Abdullah, M.T. (2018). Annotated Checklist of Avifauna in Pulau Bidong, Malaysia. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management 13 (1), 103-116. http://jssm.umt.edu.my/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/05/bab-9-13.1.pdf
  2. Koh, L.P. (2008). Can oil palm plantations be made more hospitable for forest butterflies and birds?. Journal of Applied Ecology 45 (4), 1002–1009. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01491.x — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  3. Sodhi, N.S., Briffett, C., Lee, B.P.Y-H. & Subaraj, R. (1999). An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplements (6), 125-130
  4. Tuen, A.A., Sapian, A.F., Ismail, K., Peter, C., Haba, M.H.A.-H. & Lee, C.C. (2018). Avifauna in Logged-Over Forest of Upper Baleh, Sarawak. Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology 8 (2), 66-74. http://publisher.unimas.my/ojs/index.php/BJRST/article/view/1197/711
Book
  1. Biodiversity in Plantation Landscapes, 2012. Wild Asia and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 130. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  2. Island Life: A Natural History of Pulau Tengah, Johor, Malaysia, 2018. WS Lifestyle, Singapore. pp. 163.
  3. MNS Bird Conservation Council. 2015. A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Nature Society - Bird Conservation Council, Malaysia. pp. 60.
  4. Perbadanan Putrajaya & Urban Birding Putrajaya. (2021). A Photographic Guide Book Birds of Putrajaya Malaysia. Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 128.
  5. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Koh, H.L., Muhamad, A., Wan Yusof, W.K. & Latiff, A. (2011). Hutan Simpan Melaka: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal, Kepelbagaian Biologi dan Socio-ekonomi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 315.
  6. Abdullah, N.A.T. & Abdul Aziz, M.A. (2019). Winged Beauties: Birds of Sarawak. Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Malaysia. pp. 196.
  7. Akashah, M., Noordin, N., Kasim, A. & Dzahiri, F. (2012). Bird Map Putrajaya Lake and Wetland: UNECO - IHP Ecohydrology Programme. Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 120.
  8. Asyraf, M., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shahrul Anuar, M.S. & Rahmad, Z. (2015). Pictorial Guide To The Plant and Bird Life of Byram Mangrove Forest, Penang. Penerbit USM, Malaysia. pp. 190.
  9. Davison, G.W.H. & Chew, Y. F. (1995). A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. New Holand Ltd. pp. 144.
  10. Francis, C.M. (1998). A Pocket Guide To The Birds of Borneo, Third Edition. The Sabah Society, Malaysia.
  11. Ilias, R., Aminurddin Ahmad, M., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Abidin, F.A.Z. (2007). Avifauna: Kuala Gula, Perak: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  12. Ismail, A., Faid, R, Ilias, R. & Yasak, M.N. (2010). The Adaptability of Released Milky Stork in Kuala Gula, Perak. Faculty of Science, Biology Dept., UPM and the Department of Wildlife and National Park, Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 62.
  13. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohamad Rufino, B.M. (2007). Avifauna: Paya Indah Wetlands: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  14. James, G., Mendis, T. & David, L. (2012). 2nd Edition Migratory Birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. pp. 92.
  15. Jeyarajasingam, A., Norhayati, A., Yasser, M.A. & Ilias, R. (2016). Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Penerbit UKM, Bangi, Malaysia. pp. 165. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ] — [ | eBook (EPUB) ]
  16. Rajendran, S. & Jeyarajasingam, A. (2021). Malaysian Birds - A Glimpse. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Malaysia. pp. 1-335.
  17. Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 1. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 369.
  18. Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita Yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 2. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 359.
  19. Chan, K.S & See, C.M (2020). Coastal Mangrove Birds of Bagan Datuk, Perak. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 80. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  20. Strange, M. & Jeyarajasingam, A. (1993). A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Sun Tree Publishing, Singapore. pp. 270.
Report
  1. Laporan Inventori Hidupan Liar Putrajaya 2019. Kementerian Air, Tanah dan Sumber Asli (KATS) dan Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  2. Laporan Program Kajian Inventori dan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Tahun 2017, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya. Perbadanan Putrajaya & PERHILITAN, Malaysia.

Acknowledgements :- Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Mr. Ahmad Amir Firdaus Bin Mad Apandi, Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Ajla Rafidah Baharom, Mr. Allen Jeyarajasingam, Ms. Anis Syafiqah Binti Mohamad Amir Hamzah, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Mr. Badrul Amin Bin Jaffar, Ms. Mira Farzana Binti Mohamad Mokhtar, Mrs. Nur Hazwanie Binti Abd Halim, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nurliyana Binti Abd Rahman, Ms. Nursyafiqa Madzlen, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin

Photo credit :- Koay Zhong Ying, Mohd Rosmadi Hassan & Mohd Suhaimi Bin Mohd Yusof

Species Citation :- Bubulcus ibis. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/20935. [Retrieved 01 December 2023].

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Website Citation: MyBIS (2023). Malaysia Biodiversity Information System. Published on the Internet https://www.mybis.gov.my/, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia Biodiversity Centre & Forest Research Institute Malaysia. [Retrieved 01 December 2023].