Herons, egrets, and bitterns are wading birds of the Ardeidae (heron) family. They fall under the order Pelicaniformes together with storks and pelicans. Waders are a diverse group of birds that feed by wading through shallow waters. Many waders also have long, flexible necks and long bills for foraging in water or spearing prey. Birds in this group also include ibises, spoonbills, storks, cranes, and flamingos.
A characteristic feature of Ardeidae species is that they fly with their necks retracted, unlike other waders that fly with their necks outstretched.
There is no clear distinction between herons and egrets. Egrets typically have white plumage (although dark morphs are common) and develop fancy plumes during the breeding season. The vast majority of egrets belong to the Egretta genus, with only one species belonging to the genus Bulbulcus. The herons are a more diverse group and include the pond herons and night herons.
Defining lines remain blurred, as there are several exceptions. For instance, the great white egret and the intermediate egret both belong to the heron genus Ardea, despite having white plumage and sporting long plumes during the breeding season. On the other hand, species like the little blue heron, tricolored heron, and the reef herons are essentially egrets and fall under the Egretta genus. The term “heron” is often used broadly for herons, egrets, and bitterns.
The bitterns are distinctly different from the herons and egrets. They are stockier with shorter necks. Moreover, they have ten retrices (tail feathers), unlike other Ardeidae members, that have twelve. Bitterns are also more secretive and have expertly camouflaged plumage.
Let’s take a look at the different genera and species:
Egrets
1. Genus Bubulcus
There is only one species in this genus.
1.1. Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Description: The non-breeding Cattle Egret has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill, and grayish-yellow legs. Breeding birds may have an orange-buff crown, back, and breast with a red bill, eyes, and legs.
Distribution: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia.
Habitat: Dry grassy areas.
Diet: Mainly insects, but also earthworms, spiders, lizards, and amphibians.
Similar species:
- Great Egret – The great Egret is much larger, and has a proportionally longer neck.
- Little Blue Heron juvenile – Thew white juvenile little blue heron has bicolored bill while the cattle egret has a yellow bill.
- Little Egret – The cattle egret has a yellow bill, whereas the little egret has a black bill.
- Snowy Egret – The cattle egret has a yellow bill, whereas the snowy egret has a black bill.
2. Genus Egretta
These species are medium-sized herons, mostly breeding in warmer climates.
2.1. Chinese Egret, Egretta eulophotes
Description: The Chinese Egret has white plumage. Nonbreeding has a dusky bill with a flesh-colored base, yellow eyes, and yellow-green lores and legs. Breeding birds have long crests, bright orange bills, blue lores, black legs, and yellow feet. It is similar to the little egret, but the little egret has a darker bill and legs than the Chinese egret.
Distribution: The breeding range is confined to a small region on the eastern coasts of China, North and South Korea, and Russia. Their wintering grounds encompass Japan and South East Asia.
Habitat: Offshore islands, mangroves, mudflats, bays, and shallow tidal estuaries.
Diet: Small fish, shrimps, worms, crabs, and insects.
Conservation status: Historically, they were hunted to near extinction for their plumes. Today, the main threat they are facing is habitat loss. They are classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN.
2.2. Dimorphic Egret, Egretta dimorpha
Description: The dimorphic egret has a white morph and a dark morph. It is also considered to be a subspecies of the Little egret, Egretta garzetta dimorpha.
Distribution: East Africa and Madagascar.
Habitat: Coastal areas. They breed on coral islets and forage in tidal pools among exposed coral.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and aquatic invertebrates.
2.3. Little Egret, Egretta garzetta
Description: The Little Egret has white plumage and black legs. Bare skin between eyes and bill becomes blue or red in the breeding season, and it develops two long plumes from the nape, forming a crest.
Distribution: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Their range has expanded to the Caribbean and east coast of the United States.
Habitat: A wide range of coastal and freshwater environments, including mangroves, swamps, mudflats, reefs, rice fields, and the shores of lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals.
Diet: Mainly fish, but also crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, small reptiles, insects, spiders, worms. On occasion, they may take small mammals and birds.
Similar species:
- Cattle Egret – The cattle egret has a yellow bill, whereas the little egret has a black bill.
- Chinese Egret – The little egret has a darker bill and legs than the Chinese egret.
- Dimorphic Egret – If found in Madagascar, then it is the dimorphic Egret.
- Great Egret – The great egret is much larger than the little egret. The great egret can be distinguished by its yellow bill and black feet.
- Snowy Egret – The range usually distinguishes them from the little egret. However, little egrets are sometimes found in the Americas. Adult snowy egrets have yellow lores, whereas little egrets usually do not.
2.4. Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens
Description: The dark morph of the reddish egret has slate-blue upperparts and a reddish head and neck. The white morph has all-white plumage and black legs and feet.
Similar species:
- Little blue heron juvenile – The white morph reddish egret has black legs, whereas the juvenile has light legs.
- Snowy egret – The white morph reddish egret has black feet, whereas the snowy egret has yellow feet.
Distribution: Southern United States to northwest South America.
Habitat: Salt flats, mangroves, cays, salt marshes, lagoons, and shores.
Diet: Fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects.
Conservation status: Reddish egrets are at risk due to habitat destruction, which may, to a large extent, be caused by heavy and frequent tropical storms brought on by climate change. They are classified as near threatened, according to the IUCN.
2.5. Slaty Egret, Egretta vinaceigula
Description: The slaty egret has grayish-blue plumage and yellow legs. It is similar to the black egret, but the slaty egret has yellow legs, whereas the black egret has black legs. The black egret is also more widespread.
Distribution: South-central Africa.
Habitat: Grassy wetlands, receding floodplains, and seasonal freshwater marshes.
Diet: Small fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates.
Conservation Status: Slaty egrets are threatened by habitat destruction caused by a number of human-driven factors, including cultivation, erosion, invasive plants, and overgrazing by livestock.
2.6. Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
Description: The snowy egret has all-white plumage, a black bill, black legs, and yellow feet. The base of the bill is yellow but turns red in the breeding season.
Distribution: They are native to the Americas. Vagrants occasionally occur in Europe.
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater wetlands, riverbanks, lakesides, and estuaries.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, small reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, worms, and insects.
Similar species:
- Cattle Egret – The cattle egret has a yellow bill, whereas the snowy egret has a black bill.
- Great Egret – The great egret is much larger than the snowy egret, and can be distinguished by its yellow bill and black feet.
- Little Blue Heron (juvenile) – The juvenile snowy egret has a yellowish upper bill, whereas in the juvenile little blue heron it is bluish.
- Little Egret – Range usually distinguishes between the little egret and the snowy egret. However, little egrets are sometimes found in the Americas. Adult snowy egrets have yellow lores, whereas little egrets usually do not.
- Reddish Egret white morph – Reddish egret white morph: The white morph of the reddish egret has black feet, whereas the snowy egret has yellow feet.
2.7. Black Egret (Black Heron), Egretta ardesiaca
Description: The Black Heron has bluish-black plumage, black legs, and yellow feet.
It is similar to the slaty egret, but the slaty egret has yellow legs. The black egret has black legs. Black egrets are also more widespread.
Distribution: They occur sporadically across sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat: Shallow open waters, including marshes, river edges, lakesides, rice fields, seasonal floodplains, and tidal flats.
Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and aquatic insects. The black egret uses its wings like an umbrella to produce shade which attracts fish. This is called canopy feeding.
2.8. Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea
Description: The Little blue heron has a bluish-gray plumage, a blue or grayish bill with a black tip, and bluish legs and feet. Juveniles have mainly white plumage, dark wing-tips, and dull greenish legs.
Distribution: The Americas.
Habitat: Wetlands, lagoons, tidal flats, ponds, streams, canals, and seasonal floodplains.
Diet: Fish, insects, crustaceans, amphibians, and even small rodents.
Similar species:
- Cattle egret – The juvenile little blue heron has a bicolored bill. The cattle egret has a yellow bill.
- Reddish egret white morph – The white morph reddish egret has black legs, whereas the juvenile little blue heron has pale legs.
- Snowy egret (juvenile) – The juvenile snowy egret has a yellowish upper bill, whereas in the juvenile little blue heron it is bluish.
- Tricolored heron – The tricolored heron has some white on its neck and has a white belly, whereas the little blue heron doesn’t.
2.9. Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor
Description: The tricolored heron has blue-gray upperparts and neck, a white line along the neck, a yellow or gray bill with a black tip, and a white belly.
Distribution: The Americas.
Habitat: Coastal environments, such as estuaries, mangroves, salt marshes, lagoons, and vegetated islands. Outside the breeding season, they can also be found around freshwater habitats.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and insects.
It is similar to the little blue heron. But the tricolored heron has some white on its neck and has a white belly.
2.10. Eastern Reef Heron (Pacific Reef Heron), Egretta sacra
Description: The eastern reef heron has two morphs. The dark morph has a charcoal-gray plumage and a white stripe on the chin. The less common light morph has white plumage. Both variants have a brown bill, golden-yellow eyes, and greenish lores.
Distribution: Asia and Australasia.
Habitat: Tidal habitats, including rocky shores, coral reefs, and also occur in freshwater environments near the coast.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
2.11. Western Reef Heron, Egretta gularis
Description: The Western Reef Heron has two morphs. The dark morph has a charcoal-gray plumage and a whitish throat. The less common light morph has white plumage.
Both variants have a yellow bill, but some have a black bill. They have thick yellow legs.
Distribution: Africa and Asia.
Habitat: Coastal wetlands and mangroves.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
2.12. White-Faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
Description: The white-faced heron has mainly blue-gray plumage, with a variable amount of white on the face and throat.
Distribution: New Zealand and Australasia.
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater wetlands, shores, salt marshes, tidal flats, pastureland, grasslands, and cultivated lands. They also frequent harbors, beaches, golf courses, orchards, and even gardens with fish ponds.
Diet: Fish, frogs, small reptiles, insects, and aquatic invertebrates.
Herons
1. Genus Agamia
1.1. Agami Heron, Agamia agami
Description: The Agami Heron has bluish upperparts, a light chestnut neck and underparts, a white line down the center of the neck, and relatively short yellow legs.
Range: Central America and northern South America.
Habitat: Swamp forests, mangroves, forest streams, and freshwater wetlands. Preference for shade and overhanging vegetation means that it is rarely seen.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Likely due to habitat loss, but more data is needed to understand this rare and secretive species.
2. Genus Ardea
These are powerful birds with large spear-like bills, long necks, and long legs. They hunt by waiting motionless or stalking their prey in shallow water before seizing it with a sudden lunge.
2.1. Great Egret, (Great White Egret), Ardea alba
The great egret was placed under the genus Egretta in the past with the egrets but now falls under the herons.
Description: The great egret has white plumage, a yellow bill, and black legs. It is slightly larger than the great blue or gray herons.
Range: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia.
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater wetlands. They breed in colonies around lakes, marshes, estuaries, and islands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- Cattle Egret – The great egret is much bigger and has a proportionally longer neck.
- Great Blue Heron – The white morph of great blue heron has gray legs, whereas the great egret has black legs. The great blue heron has a thicker neck and bill.
- Intermediate Egret – The great egret is larger than the intermediate egret, and has a proportionally longer neck.
- Little Egret – The great egret is much larger than the little egret and can be distinguished by its yellow bill and black feet.
- Snowy Egret – The great egret is much larger than the snowy egret. The great egret can be distinguished by its yellow bill and black feet.
2.2. Intermediate Egret (Yellow-Billed Egret), Ardea intermedia
It is similar to the great egret, but the great egret is larger with a proportionally longer neck. The upper bill of the great egret nearly aligns with the top of its head, whereas the upper bill of the Intermediate egret bill is lower relative to its head.
Description: The intermediate egret has white plumage, dark legs, and a relatively thick, yellow bill. Breeding birds may have a reddish or black bill, greenish-yellow gape skin, loose filamentous plumes on their breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on their upper legs. The plumage may vary regionally.
Range: Europe, Asia, Australasia.
Habitat: Shallow fresh or coastal waters with submerged vegetation. Habitats include marshes, flooded fields, rice fields, brackish lakes, and saltwater lakes.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
2.3. Black-Headed Heron, Ardea melanocephala
Description: The Black-headed Heron has dark gray upperparts, paler underparts, a white throat, and white underwings.
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
Habitat: Partially flooded grasslands, damp pastures, and marshes. They also occur in estuaries, agricultural land, on coastal flats, and along rivers and lakes.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
2.4. Cocoi Heron, Ardea cocoi
Description: The cocoi heron has gray wings, a mainly white neck, and a black cap that extends below the eyes.
Range: Central and South America.
Habitat: Swamps, estuaries, and the shores of lakes and rivers. They may also feed in gallery forests, grasslands, and along beaches.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
2.5. Goliath Heron, Ardea goliath
Description: The goliath heron is the largest heron. It has a gray back and upper wings and a chestnut-colored head, neck, crest, under-wings, and belly. Its chin is white, and it has a black and white-streaked fore-neck.
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa.
Habitat: Swamps, mangroves, wetlands, lakes, river deltas, and reefs.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- Gray Heron – The gray heron has a white neck, whereas the goliath heron’s neck is chestnut-colored with a black and white streaked fore-neck.
- Purple Heron – The goliath heron is substantially larger and has more pronounced black streaks on the neck than the purple heron.
2.6. Gray Heron, Ardea cinerea
Description: The gray heron has mainly gray upperparts and off-white underparts. It has a white head with a black supercilium and a pinkish-yellow bill.
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia.
Habitat: Lowland watery habitats including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes, ponds, flooded fields, lagoons, estuaries, and beaches.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- Great Blue Heron – but the ranges do not overlap.
- Goliath Heron – The gray heron has a white neck, whereas the goliath heron’s neck is chestnut-colored with a black and white-streaked fore-neck.
- Purple Heron – The purple heron has stripes on the sides of the neck, whereas the gray heron has a white neck.
2.7. Great-Billed Heron, Ardea sumatrana
Description: The great-billed heron is grey with a pale belly. It is similar to the purple heron, but the great-billed heron is larger and darker. And the purple heron has a chestnut-colored neck with black stripes on the sides, whereas the great- billed heron has a uniformly gray neck.
Range: South Asia and Australasia.
Habitat: Coastal environments including mangroves, coral reefs, and islands. They also occur near large rivers.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
2.8. Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Description: The great blue heron has mainly gray plumage, a darker crown, and a lighter face.
Range: North America, Central America, and the Galapagos.
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater wetlands, marshes mangrove swamps, flooded meadows, lake edges, or shorelines.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- Great Egret – The white morph of the great blue heron has gray legs, whereas the great egret has black legs. The great blue heron also has a thicker neck and bill.
- Gray Heron – Their ranges do not overlap.
2.9. Humblot’s Heron, Ardea humbloti
Description: The Humblot’s Heron has a mainly gray plumage and a black crown.
Range: Madagascar, Comoro Islands, and Mayotte.
Habitat: Coastal areas, including lagoons, estuaries, bays, mangroves, tidal areas, and reefs.
Conservation Status: The Humblot’s heron is endangered due to poaching and habitat destruction.
2.10. Pied Heron, Ardea picata
Description: The pied heron has a dark, slaty, grayish-black plumage and crest, with a striking white throat and breast. It has yellow eyes and a yellow bill and legs. Juveniles lack the black crest.
Range: Northern Australia, Wallacea, and New Guinea.
Habitat: Wetlands and grasslands in coastal and subcoastal areas.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
2.11. Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Description: The purple heron has a gray back, purple wings, and a purplish neck with dark stripes on its sides. It has a narrow yellow bill.
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
Habitat: Densely vegetated freshwater habitats often with reed beds. Habitats include marshes, lagoons, and lakes. They also occur in mangroves, coastal wetlands, mudflats, and canals.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
2.12. White-Bellied Heron, Ardea insignis
Description: The white-bellied heron has gray upperparts, a relatively long neck, grayish-white neck plumes, and a white chin and central underparts. Its bill is black with a greenish base and tip. It has blackish legs.
Range: Eastern Himalayas.
Habitat: Wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests, and lowland riparian environments.
Conservation Status: Critically endangered due to poaching and habitat destruction.
2.13. White-Necked Heron (Pacific heron), Ardea pacifica
Description: The white-necked heron has a grayish-black back and upper wings and a pale grey to white head, throat, and breast with black spots running down the center of the fore-neck and breast. Breeding birds bear plum-colored plumes on the back and breast.
Range: Australasia.
Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands near water, tidal areas, farmland dams, clay pans, and pasturelands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
3. Genus Ardeola
The pond herons are stocky species with short necks and thick bills which are shorter than those of Ardea species. They typically have buff or brownish backs and colored or streaked fore-necks and breasts. In summer, adults may have long neck feathers. Ardeola herons are transformed in flight, looking very white due to the brilliant white wings.
3.1. Chinese Pond Heron, Ardeola bacchus
Description: The Chinese pond heron has a yellow bill with a black tip, yellow legs, and eyes. During the breeding season, it has blue wings, a red head, neck, and breast, and a white belly. Non-breeding birds are grayish-brown mixed with white.
Range: Asia.
Habitat: Lowland shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands and ponds.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
3.2. Indian Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii
Description: The Indian pond heron has a buff-brown back, white wings, yellow eyes, and a yellow bill with a black tip. Breeding birds have darker mantles.
Range: India and Africa.
Habitat: A diverse range of shallow, aquatic environments, including ponds and wetlands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
3.3. Javan Pond Heron, Ardeola speciosa
Description: During the breeding season, its plumage is a combination of buff-orange, slaty, and cream-white. It has yellow eyes and legs and a yellow bill with a black tip.
Outside of the breeding season the Javan pond heron is brown, flecked with white.
Range: Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater wetlands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
3.4. Malagasy Pond Heron (Madagascar Pond Heron), Ardeola idae
Description: The non-breeding Malagasy pond heron has buff, brown, and black plumage. Its bill is mainly green with a black tip, and it has yellow eyes.
Breeding birds are similar but with more white.
Range: Madagascar, Seychelles, and the east coast of Africa.
Habitat: Marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, and rice fields. In some parts, they also occur in mangroves, inland pools, and lagoon shores.
Conservation Status: They are endangered due to habitat loss and competition with the squacco heron.
3.5. Rufous-Bellied Heron, Ardeola rufiventris
Description: The rufous-bellied heron has gray upperparts, and a gray head and breast and a rufous belly, wings, and tail.
Range: Africa.
Habitat: Marshes, floodplains, reed beds, paddies, deltas, and seasonally flooded grasslands. They also occur in shallow waters along riverbanks and lakeshores, and among papyrus stands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
3.6. Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Description: The Squacco Heron has a buff-brown back, white wings, a yellow bill with a black tip, and yellow eyes. Breeding birds have a darker mantle.
Range: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Habitat: A wide range of mainly freshwater habitats, including marshy wetlands, swamps, deltas, river valleys, deltas, lakes, ponds, and rice fields. In some parts, they occur in coastal habitats.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
4. Genus Butorides
The genus Butorides includes three species of small herons. Common features include black crests, blue-black wings and back, and yellow legs.
4.1. Green Heron, Butorides virescens
Description: The green heron has a green back, blue-black wings, and a greenish-black cap which forms a crest when extended. It has a chestnut neck with a white line down the front and gray underparts. Its legs are greenish-yellow.
Range: North and Central America.
Habitat: Small lowland wetlands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- American Bittern – The green heron has green in its plumage, whereas the American bittern is brown with white stripes.
- Black-Crowned Night Heron – The juvenile black-crowned night heron is similar to the green heron but has a mostly yellow bill, whereas the green heron has a dark bill.
- Least Bittern – The green heron has green in its plumage, whereas least bitterns are typically brown with white stripes. Only adult male least bitterns are greenish-black on the back and crown.
4.2. Lava Heron, Butorides sundevalli
Description: The lava Heron has slate-gray plumage, which helps it blend in with hardened lava. The back feathers have a silvery sheen. During the breeding season, the bill becomes black, and the legs become bright orange.
Range: Galapagos Islands.
Habitat: Mangrove swamps and intertidal environments.
Conservation Status: Unclassified. Invasive predators pose the biggest threat to this species.
4.3. Striated Heron (Little Heron; Green-Backed Heron), Butorides striata
5. Genus Cochlearius
There is only one species in this genus.
5.1. Boat-Billed Heron, Cochlearius cochlearius
Description: The Boat-billed Heron has pale gray upperparts with a black upper mantle, a black crown. It has a massive black, boat-shaped bill for which it is named. It is distinctly different in appearance from other herons.
Range: Found: Central and South America.
Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, and lagoons.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
6. Genus Gorsachius
Night herons are short-necked, relatively short-legged, and stout.
6.1. Japanese Night-Heron, Gorsachius goisagi
Description: The Japanese night-heron has a russet-colored head and neck and dark brown wings. It is paler below with black streaks down the center.
Range: They have a small insular range in east Asia (breeding) and Southeast Asia (winter).
Habitat: Dense upland forests near freshwater.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Threats include habitat loss due to deforestation and agriculture and competition with crows.
6.2. Malayan Night-Heron, Gorsachius melanolophus
Description: The Malayan night-heron has reddish-brown plumage with streaked underparts, a white chin, and a blue or black crown. It has yellow eyes, a small black bill, and greenish legs.
Range: Southern, eastern, and southeast Asia.
Habitat: Forests and shallow freshwater habitats such as streams and marshes.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
6.3. White-Backed Night-Heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
Description: The white-backed night-heron has a grayish-black back, wings, and a grayish-black head with a short crest. It has a rufous-colored neck and breast and a white throat. Its belly is brownish-white. It is named for the white feathers that run down its back. It has large, reddish eyes with white eye-rings and pale lores.
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat: Dense forests near rivers, streams, lakes, mangroves, and marshes.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
6.4. White-Eared Night-Heron, Gorsachius magnificus
Description: The white-eared night-heron is blackish-brown above. The underparts are brown with white streaks. The sides of its neck are chestnut-colored. It has yellow lores, a black bill, and a blackish head and nape. The throat is white, and it has white stripes behind the ears for which it is named. The female is similar, but the head and neck are less distinctly marked.
Range: China and Vietnam.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, often near rivers.
Conservation Status: The small, fragmented population is endangered due to deforestation, hunting, overfishing, and water pollution.
7. Genus Nycticorax
Birds in this genus have a black crown and a whitish belly. Typical of night herons, they have shorter necks and legs compared to other herons.
7.1. Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Description: The black-crowned night-heron has a black back and crown. Its face, throat, and breast are white. The rest of its plumage is gray. It has red eyes and yellow legs.
Range: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, swamps, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, mudflats, canals, and flooded fields.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- American Bittern and Green Heron – The juvenile black-crowned night-heron is similar to the American bittern and the green heron. The juvenile black-crowned night-heron has a mostly yellow bill, whereas the green heron and American bittern have dark bills.
- Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron – The adult yellow-crowned night-heron has a yellowish crown stripe. The black-crowned night-heron does not. The juvenile black-crowned has a pointed, yellowish bill, whereas the juvenile yellow-crowned has a dark, non-pointed bill.
7.2. Nankeen Night-Heron (Rufous Night-Heron), Nycticorax caledonicus
Description: The nankeen night-heron has rufous-colored upperparts, a black cap, pale-buff breast, and cream white belly. White plumes emerge from the crown down the nape during the breeding season.
Range: Australia, Indonesia.
Habitat: A wide range of habitats, often near a river or stream. They can occur in forests, meadows, grasslands, wetlands, swamps, lagoons, reefs, and beaches.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
7.3. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, Nyctanassa violacea
Description: It has a smooth blue-grey body with black-patterned wings. The head is black with a thick white stripe on each cheek and a pale-yellow crown. It has orange-red eyes and a black bill. During the breeding season, the yellow legs turn pinkish-red and short plumes emerge from the cap.
Range: The Americas.
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, lakesides, mangroves, coastal cliffs, and thickets near water.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar species:
- American Bittern,, Green Heron – The juvenile yellow-crowned night-heron is similar to the American bittern and the green heron. The juvenile yellow-crowned heron has small white spots on its wings. Bitterns do not have white spots.
- Black-Crowned Night-Heron – The adult yellow-crowned night-heron has a yellowish crown stripe, whereas the black-crowned night-heron does not. The juvenile black-crowned has a pointed, yellowish bill, whereas the juvenile yellow-crowned has a dark, non-pointed bill.
8. Genus Pilherodius
There is only one species in this genus
8.1. Capped Heron, Pilherodius pileatus
Description: The capped heron has a whitish body plumage, a yellowish neck, breast, and belly, and a black cap with long, downward-growing plumes. It has a distinctive blue face and bill.
Range: Central American and northern South America.
Habitat: Wetlands, swamps, and ditches in rainforests.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
9. Genus Syrigma
9.1. Whistling Heron, Syrigma sibilatrix
Description: The whistling heron has a blue-gray back and a dark crown. From the cheeks down to the breast, it is stained buff-colored. It has blue orbital skin and a pink bill with a blackish tip.
Range: South America.
Habitat: Grasslands, savanna, marshes, wooded open areas, and pasturelands. They can occur in drier habitats than other herons and are often found around human-altered landscapes.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
9.2. White-Crested Bittern (White-Crested Tiger-Heron), Tigriornis leucolopha
Description: The white-crested bittern has a black and brown, cryptically colored plumage and a white crest.
Range: From the Central African Republic through parts of the West African rainforest.
Habitat: Marshes, swamps, mangroves, rivers, and streams in tropical rainforest and gallery forest.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
10. Genus Tigrisoma
These Herons are found in Central and South America.
10.1. Bare-Throated Tiger Heron, Tigrisoma mexicanum
Description: The bare-throated tiger-heron has blackish upperparts with buff barring and a black crown. The sides of the head are gray, and it has a black and white stripe down the neck. The underparts are dull cinnamon. It is similar to the fascinated tiger-heron, but the bare-throated tiger-heron has barring over more of its body. The juveniles are very similar.
Range: Central and South America.
Habitat: Open areas alongside large water bodies such as lakes and rivers.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
10.2. Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Tigrisoma fasciatum
Description: The fasciated tiger-heron has dark plumage with light barring. It is similar to the bare-throated tiger-heron, but the latter has barring, over more of its body than the fasciated tiger-heron. The juveniles are very similar.
Range: Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Habitat: Along fast-flowing rivers and streams at higher elevations often standing among rocks.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
10.3. Rufescent Tiger Heron, Tigrisoma lineatum
Description: The rufescent tiger-heron has rufous upperparts, including the head and neck. It has yellow eyes and a black bill with yellow at the base.
Range: Central and South America.
Habitat: Swamps and along slow-moving streams.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Bitterns
Bitterns are herons of the Botaurinae subfamily. They have a stocky build with shorter necks than other herons. Moreover, they have ten retrices (tail feathers), unlike other Ardeidae members that have twelve. Bitterns are shy and elusive birds that are well-camouflaged with their environments making them difficult to spot. They feed on fish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects
11. Genus Zebrilus
There is only one species in this genus.
11.1. Zigzag Heron, Zebrilus undulatus
Description: The zigzag heron is brownish-gray with zigzag barring for which it is named. It is lighter on underparts. It is, in fact, a bittern, confirmed by DNA evidence. And like other bitterns, it has 12 retrices (flight feathers on the tail).
Range: Amazon Basin of South America.
Habitat: Densely vegetated swamps, riverbanks, and wetlands in tropical and subtropical forests.
Conservation Status: Near-threatened.
12. Genus Zonerodius
12.1. Forest Bittern, Zonerodius heliosylus
Description: A brown heron with buff stripes, a black crown, a whitish-buff chin, and a white belly.
Range: Endemic to New Guinea.
Habitat: Streams and ponds in forests.
Conservation Status: This insular species is near-threatened due to its declining localized habitat.
13. Genus Botaurus
The four Botaurus bitterns are all large chunky, heavily streaked brown birds that breed in large reedbeds. Almost uniquely for predatory birds, the female rears the young alone. They are secretive and well-camouflaged, and despite their size, they can be difficult to observe except for occasional flight views.
13.1. American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
Description: The American bittern has mainly brown plumage streaked with darker brown. It has a white throat and breast.
Range: North and Central America.
Habitat: Aquatic environments including marshes, bogs, ponds, and densely vegetated verges of shallow lakes. It occasionally occurs in meadows, pastures, and other open environments.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
13.2. Australasian Bittern, Botaurus poiciloptilus
Description: The Australasian bittern has mottled, dark brown upperparts and buff underparts with dark streaks.
Range: Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and New Caledonia.
Habitat: Densely vegetated wetlands.
Conservation Status: Endangered due to wetland degradation.
13.3. Eurasian Bittern (Great Bittern), Botaurus stellaris
Description: The Eurasian bittern has a biff plumage streaked with dark brown. It is paler below.
Range: Europe and Asia. Northern and central Africa are part of the winter range of migratory populations.
Habitat: Reed beds, swamps, marshes, lakes, lagoons, slow-flowing rivers, ponds, rice fields, and cultivated areas.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
13.4. Pinnated Bittern (South American Bittern), Botaurus pinnatus
Description: The pinnated bittern has mainly brown upperparts, cryptically patterned with streaks and barring. Its underparts are cream-white with brown streaks. It has yellowish eyes and greenish-yellow legs.
Range: Distributed sporadically across Central and South America.
Habitat: Freshwater habitats, including reed beds, lakeshores, flooded grassy fields, and marshes.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14. Genus Ixobrychus
The Ixobrychus bitterns are small birds. They breed in large reed beds and can often be difficult to observe except for occasional flight views due to their secretive behavior. Like other bitterns, they eat fish, frogs, and similar aquatic life.
14.1. Black Bittern, Ixobrychus flavicollis
Description: The black bittern has black upperparts and brown underparts with white streaks.
The sides of its neck are yellowish-white. It is the largest member of the genus.
Range: Asia and Australasia.
Habitat: Scrubby or wooded habitats near mangroves, streams, wetlands, and other water bodies.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14.2. Black-Backed Bittern (Australian Little Bittern), Ixobrychus dubius
Description: The male black-backed bittern has mainly black upperparts. It has a narrow black cap. The rest of its plumage ranges from buff to chestnut-colored. The female is duller brown with streaks on the back and crown.
Range: Australia, New Guinea, and New Caledonia.
Habitat: Densely vegetated freshwater wetlands, mangroves swamps, salt marshes, and lagoons.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14.3. Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Description: The male cinnamon bittern has uniform cinnamon-colored upperparts and buff underparts. The female is similar, but the back and crown are brown. The juvenile resembles the female but has heavily streaked brown underparts.
Range: Subtropical Asia and Indonesia.
Habitat: Flooded meadows, rice fields, and other open waterlogged grassy areas.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14.4. Bittern, Dwarf, Ixobrychus sturmii
Description: Slate-gray upperparts, a pale throat and upper breast with dark streaks, and a tawny belly. It has blue to yellow-green lores and reddish-brown eyes. Its legs are greenish-yellow. The female is paler with a more rufous tinge on the belly and yellow eyes.
Range: Africa.
Habitat: Densely vegetated wetlands, ponds, swamps, and mangroves.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
The Dwarf Bittern is similar to the striated heron, but it has uniformly colored upperparts, whereas the striated heron has some barring.
14.5. Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
Description: The male least bittern has a glossy, greenish-black back, white underparts with light brown streaks, a brown face, and yellow eyes. The female is similar with a glossy, brown back and crown.
Range: The Americas.
Habitat: Freshwater, brackish, or saltwater marshes and wetlands.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Similar to:
- American Bitter – The American bittern is much larger than the least bittern. The least bittern has a dark cap. The American bittern does not.
- Black-Crowned Night-Heron (juvenile) – The juvenile black-crowned heron has a mostly yellow bill, whereas the American bittern has a dark bill.
- Green Heron – The green heron has green in its plumage. Least bitterns are brown with white stripes. Only adult males have greenish-black on the back and the crown.
14.6. Little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
Description: The little bittern has a short neck, a longish bill, and buff underparts. The male has a black back and crown. The female has a browner back and a buff-brown wing patch.
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.
Habitat: Marshes and wetlands with reed beds.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14.7. Schrenck’s Bittern, Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Description: The male has uniform chestnut-colored upperparts, buff underparts. The female has white speckles on the upperparts.
Range: Asia and South East Asia.
Habitat: Reed beds, marshes, rice fields, and ponds.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14.8. Stripe-Backed Bittern, Ixobrychus involucris
Description: The stripe-backed bittern has brown upperparts with brown and white stripes and lighter brown underparts with white stripes.
Range: South America.
Habitat: Reed beds and sedge in wetlands, ponds, and lakeside edges.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
14.9. Yellow Bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis
Description: The male yellow bittern has dull yellow upperparts, a chestnut head and neck, and buff underparts. The female’s crown, neck, and breast are streaked with brown. The juvenile has heavily streaked underparts.
Range: From the Indian subcontinent east to Japan and Indonesia.
Habitat: Marshy well-vegetated waters.
Conservation Status: Least concern.
Conclusion
Herons play a vital ecological role in aquatic ecosystems. Most herons are dependent on shallow waters and are directly impacted by wetland degradation. Historically, many species were intensively hunted for their plumes – particularly among the egrets. Today, the main threat to herons is habitat destruction. Insular species are particularly vulnerable as they rely on dwindling habitats in small, localized regions.
Specialist groups such as Heron Conservation are working to promote the conservation of herons and their habitats worldwide. Smaller conservation bodies work directly with local authorities to implement protection measures regionally.
