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 14 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.
- Pacific Heron Ardea pacifica
- Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana
- Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta
- Pied Heron Egretta picata
- Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
- White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Pacific Reef-Heron Egretta sacra
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
- Striated Heron Butorides striata
- Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus
- Forest Bittern Zonerodius heliosylus
- Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
- Australian Little Bittern Ixobrychus dubius
- Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Papua New Guinea