
Western Cattle Egret
The cattle egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 3,980 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Western Cattle Egret is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,980 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Western Cattle Egret
Stays that give back
Across Mpumalanga
Western Cattle Egret recorded here · Savanna biome · Impala · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,980 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Western Cattle Egret recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
Western Cattle Egret recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
Western Cattle Egret recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,500 a night
Western Cattle Egret recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,550 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Plains zebra
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,300 a night
Western Cattle Egret recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Aardvark · African elephant
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,800 a night
Savanna biome · Giraffe · Warthog
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,473 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 1 other
From R 22,680 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
Price on request
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 9,024 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Savanna biome · Leadwood · Leopard
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 28,990 a night
Savanna biome · Hippopotamus · African elephant
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 14,000 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Savanna biome · Jackalberry · Ana tree
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 3,500 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,200 a night
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,700 a night
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Western Cattle Egret
Hosts have recorded the Western Cattle Egret at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
- MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Ardea ibis
Records
3,980
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Western Cattle Egret on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Western Cattle Egret in Mpumalanga?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Western Cattle Egret at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Western Cattle Egret in South Africa?
The Western Cattle Egret is most recorded in Western Cape (46% of records), Gauteng (14% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (13% of records), based on 3,980 iNaturalist observations. 10 places to stay on Spekboom in Mpumalanga have recorded the Western Cattle Egret on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Western Cattle Egret?
The Western Cattle Egret is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Western Cattle Egret?
The cattle egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard two of its subspecies as full species, the western cattle egret and the eastern cattle egret.
























