Bitterns, Herons and Egrets
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Cape Verde.
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
- Bourne's Heron Ardea purpurea bournei (E)
- Great Egret Ardea alba (A)
- Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca (A)
- Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia (A)
- Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis (A)
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (A)
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
- Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (A)
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Cape Verde