Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and Egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Unlike other long necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. In Massachusetts, 14 species have been recorded.
- American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus (n)
- Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (n)
- Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias (n)
- Great Egret, Ardea alba (n)
- Little Egret, Egretta garzetta (R)
- Western Reef-Heron, Egretta gularis (R)
- Snowy Egret, Egretta thula (n)
- Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea (n)
- Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor (n)
- Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens (R)
- Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis (n)
- Green Heron, Butorides virescens (n)
- Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (n)
- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Nyctanassa violacea (n)
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Massachusetts