The western cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century. It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. The cattle egret removes ticks and flies from cattle and consumes them.