Herons, Egrets and Bitterns
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 secretive. Unlike other long necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide, 21 in Southern Africa.
Heron
- Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
- Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
- Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
- Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
- Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
- Madagascar Heron Ardeola idae
- Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris
- White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus
- Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus
- Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea accidental
- Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis accidental
Egret
- Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia
- Great Egret Ardea alba
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
- Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca
- Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula
Bittern
- Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris
- Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii
- Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Read more about this topic: List Of Southern African Birds