Bubulcus ibis | cattle egret

Cattle Egret, photo by Sherman Wing

Introduced

The cattle egret is extremely widespread since its introduction to Hawaiʻi from Florida in 1959 to control insect pests. Easy to spot, these 20-inch long white birds are often seen in large groups, usually near ponds. Look for their perfect “V” formation as they fly in flocks. They pose a threat to native water birds as they are aggressive chick hunters.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird.

Hotspots for cattle egret

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland

Hanalei NWR, photo by USFWS
LookoutHikingBathroomParkingInterpretive Signage

Salt Pond Beach Park

Coastal

Salt Pond Beach Park
LookoutBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash

Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary

Wetland

Kawaiele State Waterbird Sanctuary, photo by DLNR
LookoutHikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Nuʻupia Pond

Wetland

Nuupia Pond, photo courtesy of USMC
Hiking

Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook

Wetland

Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook, photo by USFWS
LookoutHikingInterpretive Signage

Kapiʻolani Park

Pasture and grasslands

Kapiolani Park, photo courtesy of City and County of Honolulu Dept of Parks and Rec
HikingBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash

Paikō Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary

Wetland

Paiko Laggon Sanctuary, photo by Keri Rouse
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Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail

Coastal

Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail, photo by DLNR
HikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Kawainui Marsh

Wetland

Kawainui Marsh, photo by DOFAW
LookoutHikingParking

Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park

Coastal

Lāʻie Point State Wayside, photo by DLNR
LookoutParkingTrash

Lānaʻi Lookout

Coastal

Lanai Lookout, photo by Lainie Berry
LookoutParking

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland

Kioea at James Campbell NWR, photo by Lainie Berry
HikingParking

Waimea Valley

WetlandWet forest

Waimea Valley, photo courtesy of Hi'ipaka LLC
HikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageTrash

Kaʻena Point Trail

Coastal

Kaʻena Point State Park, photo by DLNR
HikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland

Kealia Pond NWR, photo by USFWS
LookoutHikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageRanger StationPicnic areaTrash

Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary

Wetland

Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, photo by Jeff Bagshaw
LookoutParking

SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park

Coastal

Waiʻānapanapa State Park, photo by DLNR
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Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park)

Dry forest

Hosmer Grove, NPS Photo by Megan Miller
LookoutHikingDrivingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageRanger StationPicnic areaTrash

Keāhole Point

Coastal

LookoutParking

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park

Wetland

HikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageRanger StationPicnic areaTrash

Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail

Pasture and grasslandsDry forest

HikingBathroomParkingTrash

Wailoa River State Park

Wetland

LookoutHikingParkingPicnic areaTrash

Loko Waka Pond

Wetland

LookoutBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash
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