Gut Content of Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis) in Three Distinct Habitats in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana

Abstract

Cattle egrets are considered as some of the most successful bird species globally. They are opportunistic with respect to both habitat type and availability of food resources. This study was carried out in three distinct habitat types (Grassy habitat, Landfill site and Silted waterway) in the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana to assess the preferred food items of cattle egrets. As ‘wholly protected’ birds in Ghana, permission was granted by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to use six cattle egrets. Gut contents of two cattle egrets from each habitat type were analysed. Cattle egrets at the landfill and silted drain sites fed mainly on insects particularly dipteran larvae. Birds at the landfill site fed predominantly on houseflies (Muscidae) and blue bottle flies (Calliphoridae) larvae which dominated in both weight (74.3 %) and number (84.3 %). While cattle egrets at the silted waterway fed on Syrphidae (51.4 % and 71.3 % by weight and number respectively). Those at the grassy habitat consumed a variety of prey including anurans which constituted 35.5 % by weight. This study revealed that cattle egrets are important biological control agents in the ecosystem. Without predation on the dipteran larvae (Syrphidae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae), they would metamorphose into adults and further exacerbate public health problems to neighbouring communities.