Bitterns, Herons and Egrets
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of this family fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide of which 17 occur in Sri Lanka.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | Resident |
| Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath | |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Resident |
| Eastern Great Egret | Ardea modesta | Resident |
| Intermediate Egret | Egretta intermedia | Resident |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | Resident |
| Western Reef Egret | Egretta gularis | Resident, globally vulnerable |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | Resident |
| Indian Pond Heron | Ardeola grayii | Resident |
| Chinese Pond Heron | Ardeola bacchus | |
| Striated Heron | Butorides striata | Resident |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | Resident |
| Malayan Night-Heron | Gorsachius melanolophus | |
| Yellow Bittern | Ixobrychus sinensis | Resident |
| Cinnamon Bittern | Ixobrychus cinnamomeus | Resident |
| Black Bittern | Ixobrychus flavicollis | Resident |
| Eurasian Bittern | Botaurus stellaris |
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Sri Lanka