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 18 species which occur in Hong Kong.
- Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
- Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
- Great Egret Ardea alba
- Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes
- Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra
- Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus
- Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus
- Striated Heron Butorides striata
- Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- Japanese Night-Heron Gorsachius goisagi (A)
- Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus (A)
- Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
- Von Schrenck's Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus (A)
- Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
- Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis (A)
- Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Hong Kong