A rare bird was spotted near Vík in south Iceland yesterday. Employees of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History believe it is a young cattle egret (Lat. Bubulcus ibis), which usually prefers warmer habitats like the Mediterranean.
Only once before has a cattle egret been spotted in Iceland, about 50 years ago, Morgunbladid reports.
The cattle egret is a small white heron, usually about 50 centimeters long. It lives in dry grassy habitats and feeds on insects. Its favorite food is grasshoppers, which cannot be found in Iceland either.
The bird likes to live around cattle, which explains its name. It is most common in parts of Asia, Africa and southern Europe, especially Spain.
Click here to watch a video of the cattle egret.
