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 about 61 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ireland.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | (A) |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | (A) |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides | (A) |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | (A) |
| Green Heron | Butorides virescens | (A) |
| Little Blue Heron | Egretta caerulea | (A) |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | (A) |
| American Bittern | Botaurus lentiginosus | (A) |
| Great Bittern | Botaurus stellaris | (A) |
| Little Bittern | Ixobrychus minutus | (A) |
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Ireland