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 secretive. Unlike other long necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted.
| Common name | Species | Habitat | Breeding Status | Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | Ardea herodias | ML | PB | u | u | u | u |
| Great Egret | Egretta alba | ML | PB | c | c | c | c |
| Reddish Egret | Egretta rufescens | ML | St | r | - | - | - |
| Tricolored Heron | Hydranassa tricolor | ML | B | c | c | c | c |
| Little Blue Heron | Florida caerulea | ML | B | c | c | c | c |
| Snowy Egret | Egretta thula | ML | B | c | c | c | c |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | IA | B | a | a | a | a |
| Green Heron | Butorides virescens | ML | B | u | u | u | - |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | ML | PB | r | r | r | - |
| Yellow-crowned Night Heron | Nyctanassa violacea | ML | B | r | r | - | - |
| Least Bittern | Ixobrychus exilis | ML | B | - | - | r | - |
Read more about this topic: List Of Vieques Birds