The Botanic Gardens is really buzzing with nesting birds at the moment. Hundreds of egrets are busy mating and building nests in the trees next to the lagoons and on the islands.
Normally egrets are mostly white in colour. But during breeding times, they change the colour of their feathers and some produce delicate ornamental feathers (plumes). Most of the egrets nesting in the Gardens are Cattle Egrets. They have been increasing in numbers in Australia since the 1960s. You can easily see their beautiful orange head, neck and breast, with similarly tinted long loose neck plumes. Their bill which is normally yellow becomes bright red. Amongst the Cattle Egrets are nesting Intermediate Egrets and Little Egrets. The Intermediate Egret is also known as the Plumed Egret, due to its long filamentous plumes during breeding time. Last century, many birds were killed around the world so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. The colour change during breeding is impressive – the bill becomes deep pink to bright red with a yellow tip and green base; the area behind the eyes (the lores) are bright green; the eyes are red and the legs ruby red. Little Egrets also develop extra plumage during breeding, with two ribbon-like head plumes, and abundant plumes on the back and breast. When you visit the Gardens, take some time to find the nesting egrets, see if you can identify the different species and marvel at their natural beauty.
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Some highlights of the Gardens Archives
February 2021
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Friends of Bundaberg Botanic Gardens