I'd never seen one on the farm, but after some research found out it was a Cattle Egret. They fly over from Australia in autumn to over-winter and are usually found around cattle and sheep.
A small stocky egret similar in size to a white faced heron, with a shorter neck and hunched posture. This is the smallest egret found in New Zealand and their numbers are dwindling after poor breeding seasons in Australia.
Another visitor to the farm is this white goose. We don't know where he came from but he seems to be enjoying the bull paddocks too.
Good Egret photos! Handsome goose, too! We have Cattle Egrets here in the United States that look very much like yours.
ReplyDeleteHere in Florida we have more egrets than sparrows.
ReplyDeleteOne of the first birds I saw decades ago when I first moved to Florida was a cattle egret sitting on the back of cattle.
ReplyDeleteI noticed egrets in Florida when we visited there. Usually they are near water. I would have liked to have seen the egret riding the cattle like Carol did. ROFL....!
ReplyDeletenice shot, did he end up jumping into the water?
ReplyDeleteNo, he just had a drink and went back to wandering around the paddock.
DeleteHello, love the pretty Cattle Egret. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day and the weekend ahead!
ReplyDeleteThe cattle egret seems to be larger than the variety we have here in the south. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteNice bird - remarkable how far these birds can fly!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne