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 12 species which occur in Saudi Arabia.
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
- Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
- Great Egret Ardea alba
- Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
- Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii (A)
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
- Striated Heron Butorides striata
- Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris
- Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Saudi Arabia