Cattle egret as a biocontrol agent

Abstract

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, one of the most common wetland birds seen in a variety of habitats, is seen widely exploiting solid municipal waste dumps rich in maggots of disease spreading house flies and blue bottle flies. Maggots were found in extraordinarily high numbers during southwest monsoon when egrets migrate out of Kerala state to breed. It was found that a single egret removes about 100-150g of live maggots per day acting as an important bio-control agent. © ZOO; 2007.