Photo showing that mantle plumes can extend beyond end of tail. I have this documented in many individuals. Even in BNA account (Telfair II, Raymond C. 2006. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/113 ) author inserted note “Back plumes nearly reach tip of tail (RCT).” As you can see in my photo mantle plumes can not only reach end of tail but go much farther.