Ardeidae

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Ardeidae
Image:Egretta thula1.jpg
Snowy Egret
Note the chicks in the nest.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family:Ardeidae
Leach, 1820
Genera

See text

The Ardeidae family of birds is the heron, egret and bittern family of wading birds.

Within the family, all members of the genera, Botaurus and Ixobrychus are classed as bitterns, not herons. However the species sometimes known as egrets are simply white-coloured herons with decorative plumes, and not a biologically distinct group (although one could also define true Egrets as the members of genus Egretta). The classification of the individual heron species is fraught with difficulty, and there is still no clear consensus about the correct placement of many species into either of the two major genera, Ardea and Egretta. Although herons resemble other families, such as the storks, ibises and spoonbills, unlike the latter groups, herons fly with their necks retracted, not outstretched.

The Boatbill is sometimes classed as a heron, and sometimes given its own family Cochlearidae.

The members of this family are all primarily associated with wetlands, and prey on fish, frogs and other aquatic species. Some, like the Cattle Egret, also take large insects, and are less tied to watery environments. Some members of this group nest colonially in trees, others, notably the bitterns, use reedbeds.

In February 2005 the Canadian scientist Dr Louis Lefebvre announced a method of measuring avian IQ in terms of their innovation in feeding habits. Herons were named among the most intelligent birds based on this scale.

Species

See also

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