Flocking of egrets in shrimp waste drying beaches of Kerala, India

Abstract

Coastal and sea birds form an integral part of the marine ecosystem. Though occurrence of different avian fauna has been reported sporadically, detailed information on their interactions with the ecosystem is not extensively studied. Bubul cusibis, known as the cattle egret is commonly seen in paddy fields and wetlands in association with grazing cattle to catch the insects from the grassland being disturbed by the moving cattle. In a recent survey in central Kerala, these egrets were seen in flock on the beaches.