Flore microbienne dans les déjections et dans le tube digestif du héron garde-bœufs Bubulcus ibis (Ardeidae, Aves)

The microbiological analysis of 34 droppings of the Cattle Egret showed that faecal coliforms dominate the digestive flora. The digestive flora is still incompletely known in spite of the methods used. It lies mainly in the crop, but also, although numerically smaller, in the intestine. The crop harbours mainly faecal coliforms, particularly Escherichia coli. This microflora depends on many factors such as the individual, its age, its environment and its food. A deeper knowledge of the microflora of droppings and digestive tract of the Cattle Egret would be desirable.