FAMILY ARDEIDAE

The Family Ardeidae belongs to the Ciconiiforme Order, and gathers herons, egrets, bitterns, night-herons and allies.
Day herons and egrets are medium-sized to large birds. They have long neck and legs, rather short tail and broad wings.
The bill is long, dagger-shaped, allowing these birds to hunt aquatic preys, but also small mammals and reptiles.
According to the species, the plumage may vary from pure white to black, through more or less dark grey, blue or brown.
Bitterns and night-herons are slightly different with a plumper body and shorter neck.
The large bitterns (Botaurus) have cryptic plumage adapted to their behaviour and their life in reedbeds.

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