September 04, 2010

Kansas Cowbird?

This picture was taken south of Wichita, Kansas. It was on the way home from delivering Dym the goat to her new family that I saw this bird sitting on the back of a cow. I figured it was some type of Egret. Can somebody tell me what kind it is? I was just curious about that.

Pictures can be made larger by clicking on them.

10 comments:

Gail said...

I have no clue! I have just always called them cowbirds. I do believe the cows enjoy them since they catch insects while they are catching a ride.

Teresa said...

I don't know what that one is, but last time I saw a bird sitting on a cow, it was a rooster.

Alison said...

I can't tell for sure from this distance, but I'm betting it's a cattle egret. They show up around here, sometimes; there are tons of them where my parents live on the coast of GA.

http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=45

(Not sure if I linked that right...but you can cut and paste if it didn't work.)

Mom L said...

I kind of like your name for it!!!

Nancy in Iowa

brokenteepee said...

It does look like an egret.

They do sit on the backs of horses so cows aren't a big stretch

farmlady said...

The Cattle Egret breeds up as far as Oklahoma and this is probably an immature white one. Does seem odd to see one in your neck of the woods but my bird book says that they are often seen among livestock in pastures, feeding on insects stirred up by hooves or tractors. They also pick insects off the cows back. their year around range is the southern coast, Texas and Mexico.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what kind that is!

Amy

Sharon Lovejoy said...

It is a Cattle Egret. They're not native, but they're naturalized in the US.

A cowbird is brown, small, lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, who slave to raise them. Cowbirds are parasitic.

Love the photo!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Jen's Farmily said...

Not sure what kind of bird that is, but that's a funny picture!

Jennifer said...

Many thanks to all that responded! I appreciate the links and information. A cattle egret huh? Well he was quite comfortable on this cow's back for sure. I originally drove past, turned around and came back and he was still sitting there. I don't think the cow minded him a bit, less bugs on her back I imagine!