The short, thick-necked Western Cattle Egret spends most of its time in fields rather than streams. It forages at the feet of grazing cattle, bobbing its head with each step, or rides on their backs to pick at ticks. Originally from Africa, it reached North America in 1953 and quickly spread across the continent.
Western Cattle Egret
The Cape Barren Goose, at Sylvan Heights Bird Park, is a very large, pale grey goose with a relatively small head. Its stubby triangular bill is almost concealed by a very prominent greenish-yellow cere (skin above the bill). It has rows of large dark spots in lines across the scapulars (shoulders) and wing coverts. The legs are pink to deep red and the feet black.
Cape Barren Goose
Every year, thousands of pairs of feet anxiously scurry across more than 14 miles of Yellowstone National Park’s iconic, wooden boardwalk system, eager to ferry their owners to an up close and personal glimpse of hundreds of natural hydrothermal springs and geysers.
