Cattle egrets or unnikoku as we might commonly address them (Bubulcus Ibis) are small compact white herons with a relatively short yellow bill. These birds are often seen in dry habitats and rarely get their feet wet.
When in flight they are a feast to our eyes. Often seen near the cows and bulls grazing at the far end of our grassy campus, they visit us after the rains start in the month of November and are seen till about mid-January. The effortlessly guiding white beauties are seen pecking or riding the cows. They help farmers by clearing the crop of pests and also ticks on cattle. The brown hairs near the crown add a little contrast to the pure white feathers of this migratory insectivore.
