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 9 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Pacific Reef-Heron Egretta sacra
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
- Striated Heron Butorides striata
- Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus
- Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of The Northern Mariana Islands