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, 14 of which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bittern | Ixobrychus minutus | Scarce breeder, LC |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | Uncommon resident, LC |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides | Common resident, LC |
| Madagascar Pond-Heron | Ardeola idae | Visiting breeder, LC |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | Common resident, LC |
| Striated Heron | Butorides striata | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Black Heron | Egretta ardesiaca | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Dimorphic Egret | Egretta dimorpha | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | Common resident, LC |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Gray Heron | Ardea cinerea | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Black-headed Heron | Ardea melanocephala | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Humblot's Heron | Ardea humbloti | Uncommon resident, EN |
| Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath | Very rare vagrant, LC |
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Madagascar