Three white egrets
The three egrets together give a picture of the size differences.
At first sight the cattle egret (35cm) and the snowy egret (40cm) are almost the same size. The great egret (65 cm) is noticeably taller.
Since the cattle egret walks with the cattle and other animals catching insects stirred up by them, the reserve is not the place for it to stay. It mainly flies across and on some occasions it lands, that is why records are scarce. In winter or alternate plumage identification may turn more complicated. Let's compare it with the snowy egret first.
At first sight the cattle egret (35cm) and the snowy egret (40cm) are almost the same size. The great egret (65 cm) is noticeably taller.
Since the cattle egret walks with the cattle and other animals catching insects stirred up by them, the reserve is not the place for it to stay. It mainly flies across and on some occasions it lands, that is why records are scarce. In winter or alternate plumage identification may turn more complicated. Let's compare it with the snowy egret first.
Cattle egret and snowy egret
In breeding or alternate plumage
Cinnamon spots on back, crown and breast
Bill yellow
Legs orange or reddish
Bill yellow
Legs orange or reddish
In non-breeding or basic plumage
This is the time when they are much alike. The bill is the element since yellow feet may be covered with vegetation or water
Cattle egret and great egret
The Great Egret does not change the colour of its plumage either. So, cattle egret's cinnamon spots are diagnostic. Let's concentrate on confusing times. Here colour of the body (white), legs (black) and bill (yellow) coincide. Size is decisive. If we are not good at measures and they are alone, have in mind that the length of the great egret's neck is much longer in relation to its body. Another clue might be to compare the bird with another one near, if there is any.
Great egret and snowy egret
The great egret and the snowy egret share the same environment. So, it is common to see them together. They even nest together. At breeding time both have egrets. The colour of the bill and the difference in size are the characteristics to pinpoint.