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Herons and Bitterns

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae Links: Herons and bitterns

Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. They all fly with their necks retracted. The sharp bill is used to catch fish, amphibians and other animals. Many species nest in colonies, often in trees. There are about 63 species worldwide, 12 found in Britain.

Bird

Latin

Lists

Links

Notes

Bittern

Botaurus stellata

A

Bittern

RSPB

 

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosa

A

American Bittern

rare

Little Bittern

Ixobrychus minutus

A

Little Bittern

rare

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

A

Grey Heron

RSPB

BBC

 

Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea

A

Purple Heron

 

Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

A

Night Heron

rare

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

A

Green Heron

rare

Squacco Heron

Ardeola ralloides

A

Squacco Heron

rare

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

A

Cattle Egret

rare

Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

A

Little Egret

RSPB

 

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

A

Snowy Egret

rare

Great White Egret

Ardea alba

A

Great White Egret

rare

 

 


By: Keith Park Section: Wildlife Key:
Page Ref: herons Topic: Birds  Last Updated: 03/2010
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