Cattle egret or 'Iruvaahudhu' is a white stocky bird that measures 46-56cm in length. It has a short, thick neck, a relatively short yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. Males and female cattle egrets are similar, with males being slightly larger. The juveniles, however, do not possess the colored plumes and have black bills. Breeding adults develop orange plumes on their crown, neck and breast, with the legs and eyes turning red.