The cattle egret is quick to take advantage of good foraging opportunities. They are well-known for foraging around cattle and other grazing animals. The grazer will flush insects from the grass as it is eating, and the cattle egret catches them. Studies have found that this is more than three times as effective for the egret as foraging alone. On St. Martin, I’ve also seen cattle egrets taking advantage of freshly-mowed grass (fewer places for insects to hide) and even gathering around someone on a riding lawnmower. During brush fires, they can be seen at the fire’s edge, catching insects and other small animals fleeing from the fire.
