Bubulcus ibis | cattle egret
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 | Details for Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
- Salt Pond Beach Park | Details for Salt Pond Beach Park
- Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary | Details for Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary
- Nuʻupia Ponds | Details for Nuʻupia Ponds
- Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook | Details for Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook
- Kapiʻolani Park | Details for Kapiʻolani Park
- Paikō Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary | Details for Paikō Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary
- Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail | Details for Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
- Kawainui Marsh | Details for Kawainui Marsh
- Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park | Details for Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park
- Lānaʻi Lookout | Details for Lānaʻi Lookout
- James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge | Details for James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
- Waimea Valley | Details for Waimea Valley
- Kaʻena Point Trail | Details for Kaʻena Point Trail
- Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge | Details for Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
- Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary | Details for Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary
- SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park | Details for SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park
- Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park) | Details for Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park)
- Keāhole Point | Details for Keāhole Point
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park | Details for Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park
- Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail | Details for Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail
- Wailoa River State Park | Details for Wailoa River State Park
- Loko Waka Pond | Details for Loko Waka Pond
Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
Wetland
Salt Pond Beach Park
Coastal
Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary
Wetland
Nuʻupia Ponds
Wetland
Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook
Wetland
Kapiʻolani Park
Pasture and grasslands
Paikō Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary
Wetland
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
Coastal
Kawainui Marsh
Wetland
Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park
Coastal
Lānaʻi Lookout
Coastal
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Wetland
Waimea Valley
Wet forestWetland
Kaʻena Point Trail
Coastal
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Wetland
Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary
Wetland
SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park
Coastal
Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park)
Dry forest
Keāhole Point
Coastal
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park
Wetland
Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail
Dry forestPasture and grasslands
Wailoa River State Park
Wetland
Loko Waka Pond
Wetland
