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 8 species which occur in the Czech Republic.
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
- Great Egret Ardea alba
- Little Egret Egretta garzetta
- Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
- Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris
- Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of The Czech Republic