Habitat Ecology and Breeding Performance of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Herons are wading birds of considerable significance, because they act as indicator species in wetland areas. They have been remained important in extensive number of studies concerning their habitat, distribution pattern, breeding biology, foraging behavior and as indicators of pollution (Kazantzidis and Goutner, 1996; Kazantzidis, 1998; Kushlan and Hafner, 2000; Goutner et al., 2001a, b). Heronries are the sources of breeding population of herons, egrets and other associate water birds, also play very vital role in the conservation of these birds. For successful conservation and recovery of aquatic birds an extensive understanding of eco biological requirements of these birds are essential (Fellowes et al., 2001; Li et al., 2016).

Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) belongs to the order Ciconiiformes and family Ardeidae (Ali, 1996). It has a wide-ranging distribution around the globe. Cattle egret is native to old world common from Africa to humid Asian tropics, from India to japan and northern Australia (Brown et al., 1982). It is well known that from 19th century the cattle egret has extended its breeding range from Africa to Europe, Asia, America and Australasia (Maddock and Geering, 1993; Parejo et al., 2010). In last century, the range of this bird expanded enormously and now it found on all continents excluding the Antarctica (Martinez-Vilalta and Motis, 1992).

The worldwide success of cattle egrets is credited to high habitat versatility due to capability to associate with anthropogenic habitats and feed on diversity of prey (Subramanya, 1996). Cattle egret appears to be most adaptive of all, possibly due to its versatile feeding behavior and non-specificity of the nesting environment. This bird have been described to nest in agro-ecosystems, in rural as well as urban environment, which depends upon safe nesting places, food availability, and other environmental factors (Mathew and Gadvi, 2004; Rao, 2004). A good nesting site generally provides protection against predators, necessary support to construct the nest, and access to feeding sites within foraging areas (Hafner and Fasola, 1992; Hafner, 2000). More, nesting sites also support the hatching success and positive rearing of chicks that is imperative for species survival (Ludwig et al., 1994).

As one of the most terrestrial ardeids, Cattle egrets show dietary flexibility, feeding on large variety of prey in a given environment (McKilligan, 2005). Numerous studies have showed that the diet of Cattle egrets changes with season, time of day, prey availability and abundance (Ducommun et al., 2008). Cattle egret can also be seen in large flocks feeding on insects from freshly ploughed fields (Patankar et al., 2007). Its ability to use human inhibited habitats and being scavengers is playing a vital role for its success (Subramanya, 1996). The prominence of this bird in insect pest management in different agro ecosystems has also been reported (Yadav, 2000). It is a gregarious bird, seen in small gatherings nearby grazing livestock, following energetically the animals, riding upon their backs, running in and out between their legs, and attacking the insects disturbed by their movements (Ali, 1941).

The foraging ecology of egrets such as food intake, prey capture rate, and percentage of successful pecks had been studied in numerous habitats such as freshwater marshes, salt marshes, rice fields, river and estuaries (Trocki and Paton, 2006; Taylor and Schultz, 2008). Egrets are good issue for foraging study as they are large, abundant and consume easily identified prey. Due to its primarily insectivorous behavior, cattle egret is considered as a biological insect pest control agent in an agro-ecosystem (Rao, 2004; Thomas et al., 2004). Availability of food resources and foraging environments influence the selection of habitat by the birds and is main factor of the breeding success in cattle egrets (Samraoui et al., 2007).

Detailed and comprehensive studies of bird’s species are obligatory when creating the conservation measures. This information can be used to properly manage biodiversity and propose effective conservation programs (Carter et al., 2000; Thompson, 2002). In this paper, we provide some data on the eco bi­ology, of the cattle egret in Faisalabad area of Pakistan. Accordingly, information about this bird species will be vital for their effective saving and management. Till now no inclusive studies have been carried to scan the eco biological studies of egrets in Pakistan. This study provides an understanding in the ecological significance of cattle egrets into our ecosystem.

The study was conducted in “Faisalabad District” located at 31°21′52″N, 72°59′40″E and an elevation of 184.5 m from mean sea level. The climate of Faisalabad possess the dry semi-arid agro-climatic characteristics but well managed canal irrigation system has placed it among the highly crop productive zones. The mean maximum and minimum temperature in summer are 39°C (102°F) and 27°C (81°F), respectively. In winter it peaks at around 17°C (63°F) and 6°C (43°F), respectively. The average yearly rainfall lies only at about 300 mm (12 in) and is highly seasonal with approximately half of yearly rainfall in two months July and August (Fig. 1). The Chenab River flows about 30 km to the north-west while the Ravi River meanders about 40 km southeast of the city. The lower Chenab canal is the main source of irrigation water, which meets the requirements of 80 % of cultivated land. The soil of Faisalabad comprises alluvial deposits mixed with loess having calcareous characteristics, making it very fertile. Land surface near the study site consist of agriculture fields rotated among wheat, rice, cotton and many other seasonal crops (Abdullah, 2007).

The following three stations were selected for field observations:

Site A: Satiana Bangla: The station is present at latitude of 31ᴼ12ʹ21.32ʹʹ N and a longitude of 73ᴼ10ʹ22.26ʹʹ E with an elevation of 609 ft. from mean sea level. It is situated at a distance of about 12 km from Faisalabad city and have Gogera canal as main source of water.

Site B: Gatwala Park: This station is present between the latitude and longitude of 31ᴼ28ʹ37.59ʹʹ N, 73ᴼ12ʹ45.86ʹʹ E respectively with an elevation 625 ft. from mean sea level. It is situated at a distance of 06 km from Faisalabad city and Gatwala stream is the main source of water.

Site C: Pul Dengru: It is present between latitude and longitude of 31ᴼ35ʹ10.96ʹʹ N and 73ᴼ02ʹ27.60ʹʹ E, at an elevation of 621 ft. from mean sea level. It is at a distance of almost 10 km from the Faisalabad city and Jhang canal is the main source of water.

In order to record various eco-biological aspects of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) periodic surveys were undertaken for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013) from April to August. Some qualitative data was also collected by interviewing the local peoples around breeding sites. The ecology of breeding habitats was studied during field visits by observing the size of breeding territory, kind of upper story vegetation and ground cover, cropping pattern, type of water sources met and other localized conditions, which make the site attractive for breeding (Patankar et al., 2007). Different breeding aspects as bird appearance, nesting behavior, courtship displays and copulation, clutch size, incubation period and hatching success, feeding and weaning period were based on direct visual observations and by using binocular (Nikon Action 16x50 EX ATB) (Joshi and Shrivastava, 2012; Kour and Sahi, 2013). The nests in colony were counted using Point Count Method (Dodd, 1995). Eggs were measured for length and weight with Vernier caliper and weighing balance respectively. Nesting and hatching success were calculated by following the method of Fazili (2002). First, nesting success was calculated as NS/ (Ns+Nu) X100, where Ns is number of successful nests (i.e., nests in which at least, one nestling survived beyond 10 days of age), Nu is number of unsuccessful nests. Hatching success was calculated as: No of eggs hatched/total no of eggs laid or clutch size X 100. Breeding success was calculated by the formula, no of fledglings survived/no of eggs incubated X 100 (Jehle et al., 2004). The geographic coordinate’s latitude, longitude, and altitude were taken from each site by a GPS (global positioning system) named Garmin eTrex. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for each parameter and statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).

The data collected revealed that total area of breeding territory “A” was 0.1 square kilometer and upper story vegetation was consisting of kikar (Acacia nilotica), sufaida (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), simbal (Bombax cieba) on which maximum nests were located. The main species on ground was submerged bansi grass (Panicum antidotale), palwan (Dicanthium anulatum) on dry places, mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and ak (Calotropis procera). Cropping pattern followed in vicinity consisted of sugarcane, wheat, rice and cotton. The main source of water was almost 12 m wide gogera canal. This breeding territory was close to human habitation along Sithana Bangla (Table I).

The total area of site “B” was 0.025 square kilometer. Key tree species was jaman (Syzygium cuminii) preferred by egret for nesting followed by kikar (Acacia nilotica) and bakain (Melia azedarach). Ground vegetation cover was mainly comprised of khabal grass (Cynodon dyctylon). Cropping pattern followed in vicinity of study sites consisted of wheat and rice. Crocodile breeding ponds were present within breeding territory and a tributary of gogrea branch canal was also passing by the area. Characteristic feature of human habitation was offices of Wildlife Department and the visitors coming there for recreation purpose (Table I).

The site “C” comprised of total 0.064 square kilometer area. The dominant tree species was kikar (Acacia nilotica) other co-dominant trees species such as sufaida (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) were also present on canal sides. The main ground cover was khabal (Cynodon dyctylon) grass and sirkanda (Saccharam munja). Cropping design followed in locality was sugarcane, wheat and rice. Jang canal was also passing by the area. Occasionally built farm houses were presenting a good sign of human habitations within this breeding territory (Table I).

Results revealed that preferred tree species for nest making include kikar (Acacia nilotica) while presence of nearby aquatic source in the form of canal or pond was another essential element. Ecological conditions at breeding territory were found to be almost similar as expressed by Hafner (1997) and Peterson (1980). Presently, kikar (Acacia nilotica) tree is important species for nesting which might be due to the facts that predation is rather difficult at such thorny trees. Similarly, presence of human beings can have repellent effect for predators.

In this study, breeding period of cattle egrets was observed from April to August, which is in line with the results of Patankar et al. (2007) who stated from April to July and Kour and Sahi (2013) who reported from March to July. However, various results revealed that breeding season of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) varies from place to place. Proceedings from different parts of the world portray that its breeding is closely related with the monsoon season (Lowe-McConnell, 1967; Weber, 1975). It was noted that both male and female cattle egrets produce conspicuous plumes during breeding season. Results depict that in non-breeding dress, the plumage was completely white, bill was yellow; legs were yellowish green in both male and female birds. Whereas during the breeding season (April and May) white color plumes converted orange buff at head, neck and back of the body, however bill and legs developed into yellow reddish color. These breeding plumes are used mainly in courtship behavior and are lacking in non-breeding season. The observations were recorded in field visits, which were in accordance as explained by Ali and Ripley (1983), Robert (1991) and Joshi and Shrivastava (2012).

The process of nest building was observed in the month of May. However, the practice of nest repairing was seen to be continued even after eggs laying, during incubation and hatching, though rate of collection of nesting material was slowly decreased. These observations were in agreement with Kour and Sahi (2013). It was observed that cattle egrets build their colonies where the area was not wild and preferably almost near water availability, road side and human vicinity. It was observed at each study site A, B and C, that male birds establish the breeding territory. Nests were typically built in kikar (Acacia nilotica) trees (as observed at three study sites) followed by jaman (Syzygium cuminii) trees (as observed at one study site). On average, the nests were built at the height of mean 7.19 + 1.45 to 8.01 + 1.31 m above ground and mean nest diameter was 27.99 + 2.21 to 30.07 + 2.86 cm (Table II). Nests were made up of rough unlined structures of sticks, reeds, shrubs and twigs retained in wedge of branches in trees. The cattle egrets started the nest building much before they had mate. The cattle egrets were seen to collect twigs from the nearby fields, stealing from old nests and collecting from ground, fallen from other nests. Results revealed that nests of cattle egrets were in the shape of multilayered round untidy platforms with dead, stout sticks at base and soft, live and gentle twigs on top of platform; these observations are similar to the remarks of McKilligan (2005). In all study sites, most of the nests were usually completed within 05 to 06 days and both partner participated in nest making. It was noticed to construct nest on previous places, re-nesting in old nests and cleaning the debris of previously fledged chicks with their beaks. In this study nesting colonies were documented to be wholly monospecific with only cattle egrets nesting on sites. This statement was opposing to Ali and Ripley (1968) and Maccarone and Parsons (1988) who noticed cattle egrets nest in mixed colonies but our results were in line with Arendt and Arendt (1988), Patankar et al. (2007) and Kour and Sahi (2013) that no other ardeidae member nesting in the neighborhood.

Courtship and mating performance was noted after they had assembled their nests in the months of May. Mating in cattle egrets is believed to occur at or near the nesting sites and indeed, all observations in this study occurred around the one-meter range of the nest (McKilligan, 1990). Results revealed that before creating pair bond the male birds were found to flutter around female to win its attention. The male partner generally after getting nesting territory showed a varied range of courtship displays like twig shake, flap flight, stretch display, wing preening and head flicks to female who exercised her will of selecting the suitable male with her neck extended thus leading to pair formation (McKilligan, 2005; Kour and Sahi, 2013). During breeding season, frequent and aggressive encounters between nesting pairs were noted. After mating, the process of nest building again started and this continued even after egg laying (Kour and Sahi, 2013). During the present notes, mating behavior was seen at the mid-day as observed by Joshi and Shrivastava (2012), but Kler et al. (2014) has given opposed statement that mating was mostly observed at early morning.

Egg laying started after nest building and observations regarding the egg laying behavior of cattle egret revealed that time period between two successive laying was approximately 20-25 h and is almost similar as stated by Patankar et al. (2007).

At each study site (A, B, C) thirty nest were marked and monitored regularly. Results described that clutch size was (Mean+ SD) 3.7 ± 0.50, 3.5 ± 0.06, and 3.6 ± 0.71, respectively. The range of the clutch size was recorded as 03 to 04 eggs (n=218), 03 being the commonest and exceptionally 05 (Table III). Thus, the present results are almost in line with Kour and Sahi (2013) and Kler et al. (2014).

At site “A” (n=79) eggs were monitored and mean weight, length, and breadth was found as 21.18 ± 1.01gm, 45.21 ± 1.90mm, and 33.02 ± 0.11mm, respectively. At site “B” (n=64) eggs measurements for mean weight, length, and breadth were 22.04 ± 1.79gm, 45.04 ± 1.81mm, and 32.52 ± 0.09mm, respectively. Similarly at cite “C” mean weight, length, breadth (n=75) was 21.23 ± 1.61gm, 44.87 ± 1.01 mm, and 32.06 ± 0.16mm, respectively (Table III) and these results are almost in line with Patankar et al. (2007).

The shape of eggs was oval, medium sized, mono colored and milky- blue without any markings. The color of egg becomes slightly faded with the passage of time. Kour and Sahi (2013) have reported almost similar studies about eggs characteristics.

The incubation periods started with the laying of first egg and during incubation one of the two partners sat on the eggs but mostly female. The incubation period was varied from 22-25 days. Joshi and Shrivastava (2012) and Kour and Sahi (2013) has reported incubation periods from 21-24, and 21-23, respectively.

The hatching process was found regular with the chicks hatching out in successive days in same order in which the eggs were laid. Based on results mean number of chicks hatched at study sites A, B, C were 42, 36, 31 and mean number of chicks fledged were 28, 19, 20, respectively. Further nesting success was highest at site A- 35.44 % followed by 29.68 % at site B and 26.66 % at site C. Dusi and Dusi (1970) has recorded nesting success of cattle egrets to be 30 %.

In cattle egrets, hatching of chicks was observed as an asynchronous one i.e., chicks did not hatch at the same time but at break of a day (18-24 h). This observation is in agreement with that of Ploger and Mock (1986). The asynchronous hatching was obvious from the fact that in nests chicks of different sizes could be easily seen (Kour and Sahi, 2013).

Results showed that cattle egrets provide an excellent example of parental care and both partners perform their role in weaning of their chicks. Soon after hatching, parents taught chick to eat regurgitated food in their partially opened beak. As newly chicks grew feeding method was noticed to change from direct feeding to feeding onto the nest floor. However, Weber (1975) reported two methods of feeding i.e., beak grab feeding and feeding onto the nest floor in herons. The hatching was followed by the weaning period of 25-30 days, whereas a weaning period of 21-28 days and 21-23 days was recorded by Patankar et al. (2007) and Kour and Sahi (2013), respectively.

In parental care, cattle egrets search their food for their chicks from nearby areas. In daytime, chicks tried to fly within the branches of trees or around the nests. After the age of 500 days, juveniles were able to fly.

Cattle egrets are common birds seen around human settlement, rural and urban set up and seem to be not much bothered by humans. Safe nesting area, availability of water, food and nesting material are the major needs of this species for nest site selection. Cattle egret is an insectivorous bird, also considered as biological insect pest-controlling agent, hence is an important bird in agro-ecosystems. Therefore, awareness program about the beneficial status of cattle egret is suggested to protect their heronries from anthropogenic activities. By enhancing such farmer friendly bird, we can minimize the use of pesticides, which have toxic effects on our environment.

We acknowledge the support and cooperation of Department of Forestry and Range Management, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan throughout this work.

Authors have declared no conflict of interest.