© GW - monacoeye • Gamboa, Panama • 25 April 2010 • All rights reserved.

Bird name: Striated Heron
Latin: Butorides striata
Other: Green-backed Heron (Helm). Mangrove Heron, Little Heron. Garcita azulada (Es), Socozinho (Br), Héron strié (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Tropics worldwide
Similar: Green Heron

The adult Striated Heron has a black cap and a pinkish grey throat, with white stripes. It has light markings on its sides which are diagnostic - each dark feather tip has a light surround - and yellow irises. The Striated Heron was formerly grouped with the Green Heron as the Green-backed Heron.

The adult Striated Heron above was standing on a pier by the Chagres River in Panama after a big storm. In the Brazilian Pantanal in August, Striated Herons, though quite numerous, often retreated quickly when seen.

The juvenile, pictured directly below, is browner and more mottled than the adult, and has its own distinctive wing markings which form parallel lines near the wing edge. It was seen by the river edge.

Also seen in the Gambia (see comments section).

Below: Juvenile Striated Heron in the Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

© monacoeye.com • Danube Delta • May 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Squacco Heron
Latin: Ardeola ralloides
Other: Crabier Chevelu (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Europe, Middle East, Africa
Similar:

Squacco Herons line many of the canals in Danube Delta.

Adults have blue bills with black tips. Lores are sometimes bright green (see above) in courtship. Feet are yellow-orange and legs orange-pink becoming redder during courtship.

Plumage of juveniles (more photos) and winter adults is strongly streaked around the neck. Legs are greenish and beaks less blue.

Squacco Heron, Gambia, Feb 2013

More photos...

© monacoeye • Camargue, France • December 2008 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Grey Heron
Latin: Ardea cinerea
Other: Gray Heron (US). Héron Cendré (Fr), garza real europea (Es), Graureiher (De), Aiirone cenerino (it)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa
Similar: Purple Heron, Black-headed Heron, Western Reef Egret

The Grey Heron is one of the more visible birds in wetlands in the south of France. Large and prominent - will circle or fly off when flushed. Juveniles are well camouflaged when standing on shingle.

Below, Grey Heron in flight, Camargue, France


Below, Grey Heron, Arma di Taggia, Italy, April 2013.
More photos...

© monacoeye. All rights reserved. Pantanal, August

Bird name: Great Egret
Latin: Ardea alba
Other: Grande Aigrette (Fr) • Kotuku (NZ) • Great White Egret • Common Egret • Garça-branca-grande (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Egrets
Range: Worldwide
Similar: Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, White Stork

The Great Egret is a prominent large heron with all-white plumage, large wingspan, yellow bill, dark feet. Neck retracted in flight. In breeding plumage (see below in Romania), bill can be black, lores green, tibia red.

Seen regularly by rivers, lakes etc. France, Brazil, Africa etc.

The subspecies Ardea alba alba (Europe) (see “more photos”), Ardea alba egretta (Americas), Ardea alba melanorhynchos (Africa) and Ardea alba modesta (Asia & Australasia) were split by the IOC and then relumped.

Great Egret standing on tree, Pantanal, August


Great Egret in flight showing streamers, Mostardas, RS, Brazil, November


Great Egret in breeding plumage, green lores, black bill, red tibia. Danube Delta, May.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved • Cattle Egret, Camargue, March.

Bird name: Western Cattle Egret
Latin: Bubulcus ibis
Other: Héron Garde-Boeuf (Fr) • Garcilla bueyera (Es) • Garça-vaqueira (Pt) • Airone guardabuoi (It)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Egrets
Range: North America, South America, Africa, Southern Europe to Central Asia
Similar:

The IOC (1.6) split the Cattle Egret into Western and Eastern forms, the latter being found in Australasia.

The Western Cattle Egret has a short yellowy orange bill, hairy under bill, yellow iris, orange patches in breeding plumage. Smallest of the white egrets. Often follows cattle and large mammals. Abundant in some areas. Hundreds at Kotu, Gambia.

Cattle Egrets roost, Regua, Brazil, September.


Cattle Egret, Gambia, February 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Western Reef Heron
Latin: Egretta gularis
Other: Western Reef Egret. Aigrette à gorge blanche (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Tropical W Africa, India
Similar: Black-headed Heron, Black Heron, Little Egret

The Western Reef Heron is a dark grey egret with a white throat and yellow-green feet and ankles.

But there is also a white morph which looks similar to the Little Egret, but with yellowish ankles and bill base.

Seen at Lamin Lodge, Tendaba creek etc.

Below, Western Reef Heron, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania, July 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Black Headed Heron
Latin: Ardea melanocephala
Other: Héron mélanocéphale (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar
Similar: Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron

The Black-headed Heron is a large African Heron similar to the Grey Heron but with black or very dark grey top of head and back of neck, white throat. Outer wings and back are grey, feet are black, differentiating it from the black Western Reef Heron.

We saw some in a creek near Tendaba, and occasionally elsewhere in coastal Gambia. Thanks to Tom for the photo above from Tanzania.

Below, Black-headed Heron near Tendaba, Gambia, Mar 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Intermediate Egret
Latin: Egretta intermedia
Other: Héron intermédiaire (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Africa, India, Asia, Australia
Similar: Great Egret

The Intermediate Egret is a largish white egret with yellow bill and black feet. It’s not as big as a Great Egret and the gape stops below the eye (in Great Egret it continues past). Taller and longer neck than Cattle Egret.

These pictures were taken at Kotu Sewage Works, where there were hundreds of Cattle Egrets with one Intermediate Egret.


Below, Intermediate Egret, right, Cattle Egret, left, Gambia, Feb 2013


Below, Intermediate Egret, right, Cattle Egret, left, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Gambia, Mar 2013

Bird name: Black Heron
Latin: Egretta ardesiaca
Other: Umbrella Bird, Black Egret, Aigrette ardoisée (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Western Reef Heron

The Black Heron is a black heron which pulls its wings round to create shade while fishing, giving it the name of Umbrella Bird. Other egrets often fish alongside, catching fish as they enter or exit the dark pool.

Below, Black Heron closes its wings completely, Gambia, March 2013


Black Heron, Gambia, Mar 2013


Black Herons fishing together, Gambia, March 2013
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, 28 April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufescent Tiger Heron
Latin: Tigrisoma lineatum
Other: Avetigre colorada (Es), Hocó colorado • Socó-boi (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Mexico to Uruguay
Similar: Fasciated Tiger Heron juvenile

Adult Rufescent Tiger Herons have wonderful finely barred greyish wings and rufous head and neck with white stripes down neck, yellow lores and yellow or orange irises. They are not too shy so relatively easy to observe.

Juvenile Rufescent Tiger Herons are really stunning, with coarse barring - like a tiger. Pictured above, one which has caught an insect.

In the Pantanal in August, Rufescent Tiger Herons are abundant by the drying bodies of water, and frequently seen in ditches, on river banks and near ponds and lakes.

Below: An Adult Rufescent Tiger Heron on a mound, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Boat Billed Heron
Latin: Cochlearius cochlearius
Other: Garça-real (Br) • Garcilla peinada (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America - Panama to Brazil
Similar: Black-crowned Night Heron, Striated Heron

It’s unusual to see the Boat-billed Heron during the day, but night drives with a torch along waterways will usually produce several. They look rather strange (see further below) at night with their very broad bills.

The Boat-billed Heron pictured above was seen beside the Rio Claro, on an excursion from Rio Clarinho. Trips down the river from Rio Clarinho were a very good way to take in the beautiful scenery and see Agami Heron and Giant Otter because they don’t use engines (unlike Rio Claro Lodge) but punt instead.

During the day Boat-billed Herons look like they’re smiling. Generally unmistakeable by their very wide bills and buffy colouring - the most similar herons otherwise would probably be Black-crowned Night Heron or Striated Heron.

Below: Boat-billed Heron on the Rio Claro, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Agami Heron
Latin: Agamia agami
Other: Garça-da-mata (Br) • Garza agamí (Es) • Chestnut-bellied Heron
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Central America to Brazil
Similar: none

The Agami Heron is usually very difficult to see as it hides in the darkness of overhanging vegetation by the river’s edge, or in forest swamps, but what a stunner!

It is a medium sized heron with a very long pointed bill and beautiful dark red and green colouring to its feathers, with white markings down the neck. The juvenile, pictured further below, is much duller.

I saw Agami Herons with my in-house guide, Dodo, from Rio Clarinho Lodge (basic accommodation but recommended for this bird), who punted me down the Rio Claro river. We saw three different Agamis over about two hours, including one juvenile.

To notice them you really need to have eyesight than can pierce the darkness - or a very good guide. These photos were taken without flash at very slow speeds.

The birds moved very slowly, generally with neck retracted, and though initally very shy, after a while continued with their normal stalking behaviour, moving gracefully through the network of roots that reach down into the water from overhanging bushes and trees.

Below: An adult Agami Heron on the Rio Claro, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug, Sep 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe, November 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Capped Heron
Latin: Pilherodius pileatus
Other: Garça-real (Br) • Garcilla peinada (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America - Panama to Brazil
Similar:

The Capped Heron is a pretty, pastel-coloured heron, with black cap, light blue bill with pink fleck, cream neck and two or three long head feathers.

I saw them in a couple of places in the Pantanal, but they were often quite shy and retreated quickly. I saw one in the wetlands at Regua.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Blue Heron
Latin: Egretta caerulea
Other: Garceta azul (Es), garza azul • Garça-azul (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Texas to Uruguay
Similar: Snowy Egret

The adult Little Blue Heron is an unmistakeable intense blue colour, with a touch of purple around the neck. Seen above at Rio Clarinho Lodge in the Pantanal - the only place I saw this bird. Much rarer than other similar sized herons and egrets.

Pictured below is a juvenile Little Blue Heron. Before gaining his blue-grey adult plumage, he could be mistaken for a Snowy Egret, as he is mostly white. This one was seen by the Chagres River in central Panama.

Below, juvenile Little Blue Heron, Gamboa, Panama, April 2010.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Whistling Heron
Latin: Syrigma sibilatrix
Other: Maria façeira (Br) • Garceta Chiflón (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America
Similar:

The Whistling Heron is unmistakable with its blue lores and reddish-pink bill with black tip. An attractive heron.

The nominate form lives in southern Brazil and neighbouring countries - with another subspecies fostresmithi in the Venezuela region.

Below, a Whistling Heron in the Pantanal in August 2011.
More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania, Aug 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Goliath Heron
Latin: Ardea goliath
Other: Héron goliath (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Purple Heron, which is smaller.

The world’s largest heron - about 1.5 metres tall - seen here in Tanzania. Thanks to Tom for this photo.

© monacoeye • all rights reserved • Perth, May 2008

Bird name: Pacific Reef Heron
Latin: Egretta sacra
Other: Eastern Reef Egret
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Egrets
Range: Southeast Asia to Australia and New Zealand
Similar:

Possibly a Pacific Reef Heron? Yellow legs …

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Perth, May 2008

Bird name: Nankeen Night Heron
Latin: Nycticorax caledonicus
Other: Rufous Night Heron
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Widespread Australasia
Similar:

A Nankeen Night Heron spotted in a park in Perth by Tania.

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Australia, May 2008 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eastern Cattle Egret
Latin: Bubulcus coromandus
Other:
Family: Ardeidae • Egrets
Range: South and East Asia, Australasia

The IOC has split the Cattle Egret into Western and Eastern forms. These were seen in Perth, Australia, so should be Eastern Cattle Egrets.More photos...

© monacoeye • all rights reserved • Danube Delta • May 2009

Bird name: Purple Heron
Latin: Ardea purpurea
Other: Héron pourpré (Fr) • Garza imperial (Es) • Airone rosso (It) • Garça-vermelha (Pt)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Europe, tropical Africa, Asia
Similar:


These Purple Heron photos were taken in the Danube Delta in Romania - Purple Herons are found throughout southern Europe during the spring and summer. I have also seen them in river estuaries in Nice, the Camargue and Ventimiglia.

They are large birds, very similar to Grey Herons, but with deeper brown and rufous tones and stronger markings.

More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved • Gamboa, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Green Heron
Latin: Butorides virescens
Other: Green-backed Heron • Garcita verde (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: North and Central America
SImilar:

The Green Heron is a small dark heron with black cap and rufous neck with white line down throat. Some greenish sheen on dark feathers. Yellow or orange legs.

These Panama birds had mostly yellow ceres and yellow or orange irises. Seen in the Chagres River, a few feet away from a Caiman - apparently not a threat - and in the Chiriqui highlands.More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved. Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Cocoi Heron
Latin: Ardea cocoi
Other: White-necked Heron • Garça Moura (Br) • Garza Morena (Es) • Garza Mora • Garza Cuca • Garzón
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range:
Similar:

The Cocoi Heron is very similar to the Grey Heron we have in Europe, but the adult has a white neck. I saw it on the beach and in fields. The Cocoi Heron is present throughout Brazil and much of South America.


More photos...

© monacoeye.com • Danube Delta • May 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Black Crowned Night Heron
Latin: Nycticorax nycticorax
Other: Night Heron • Bihoreau Gris • Héron Bihoreau
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range:
Similar:

Some areas of the Danube Delta wetlands are home to great numbers of Black-crowned Night Herons.

In the breeding season, feet turn reddish, irises turn brighter red and the herons grow a couple of plumes. At other times feet are yellow and wings light grey.

The juvenile Night Heron has brown wings with white spots and a brownish neck with faint streaks.More photos...

Photos: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

Bird name: Little Bittern
Latin: Ixobrychus minutus
Other: Blongios Nain
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Bitterns
Range:
Similar:

Not much of a view of this Little Bittern, which was with some waders by the runway in Nice. Despite the distance, it is still recognisable from the cream patches on its wings. More photos...

An initial comparison of 4 similar species of white egret:

Snowy Egret: Bright yellow lores - dark bill
Little Egret: Greyish yellow lores - dark bill
Great Egret (egretta & alba): Green grey lores - yellow bill
Cattle Egret: Yellow lores - short yellow bill - hairy under bill

Snowy v Little: Yellow lores (and feet) on Snowy
Cattle v Little or Snowy: Short yellow bill on Cattle
Little v Great: Yellow bill on Great (can change)

Later I will include a comparison of size, legs, plumage and feet, different ages and breeding seasons, and locationMore photos...

Bird name: Snowy Egret
Latin: Egretta thula
Other: Aigrette Neigeuse (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae
Tag: Herons, Storks & Ibises

Photos: monacoeye • Santa Catarina, Brazil • MayMore photos...

Bird name: Little Egret
Latin: Egretta garzetta
Other: Aigrette Garzette (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae
Tag: Herons, Storks & Ibises

Photos: monacoeye • Camargue, France • December 2008More photos...

026 Ardeidae • Herons, Bitterns, Egrets - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Zonerodius heliosylus - Forest Bittern - New Guinea

Tigriornis leucolopha - White-crested Tiger Heron - W, C Africa

Tigrisoma lineatum - Rufescent Tiger Heron - Widespread Latin America
Tigrisoma fasciatum - Fasciated Tiger Heron - Costa Rica to N Bolivia, SE South America
Tigrisoma mexicanum - Bare-throated Tiger Heron - Mexico to Colombia

Agamia agami - Agami Heron - E Mexico to Amazonia

Cochlearius cochlearius - Boat-billed Heron - WC Mexico to NE Argentina

Zebrilus undulatus - Zigzag Heron - N, C South America

Botaurus stellaris - Eurasian Bittern - Widespread Eurasia - Africa, N Asia
Botaurus poiciloptilus - Australasian Bittern - SW, SE Australia, New Zealand
Botaurus lentiginosus - American Bittern - Widespread North America - Central America, Caribbean
Botaurus pinnatus - Pinnated Bittern - E Mexico to NE Argentina

Ixobrychus involucris - Stripe-backed Bittern - N, SE, SW South America
Ixobrychus exilis - Least Bittern - E, SW USA to SE Brazil
Ixobrychus minutus - Little Bittern - S, C Europe to C Asia, NW India, Africa. Eurasia, Africa
Ixobrychus dubius - Black-backed Bittern - E, SW Australia - Split from I. minutus
Ixobrychus sinensis - Yellow Bittern - Widespread Asia, also E Asia - Australasia
Ixobrychus eurhythmus - Von Schrenck's Bittern - E Eurasia - E Asia
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus - Cinnamon Bittern - Widespread Asia, also E Asia
Ixobrychus sturmii - Dwarf Bittern - Widespread Africa

Dupetor flavicollis - Black Bittern - Widespread Asia, Australasia

Gorsachius magnificus - White-eared Night Heron - S, E China
Gorsachius goisagi - Japanese Night Heron - Japan - SE China, Philippines
Gorsachius melanolophus - Malayan Night Heron - Widespread Asia
Gorsachius leuconotus - White-backed Night Heron - Widespread Africa

Nycticorax nycticorax - Black-crowned Night Heron - Worldwide except Australasia
Nycticorax caledonicus - Nankeen Night Heron - Widespread Australasia - New name

Nyctanassa violacea - Yellow-crowned Night Heron - E USA to Peru & E Brazil

Butorides virescens - Green Heron - E & C USA to Panama
Butorides sundevalli - Lava Heron - Galápagos Islands - Split from B. striata
Butorides striata - Striated Heron - Widespread South America, Eurasia, Africa, Australasia

Ardeola ralloides - Squacco Heron - Widespread Eurasia, Africa
Ardeola grayii - Indian Pond Heron - Persian Gulf to Burma, Maldive Islands
Ardeola bacchus - Chinese Pond Heron - E Asia
Ardeola speciosa - Javan Pond Heron - E Asia
Ardeola idae - Malagasy Pond Heron - Madagascar, Aldabra Island - C, E Africa
Ardeola rufiventris - Rufous-bellied Heron - E, C Africa

Bubulcus ibis - Western Cattle Egret - S Europe to Iran, Africa, Indian Ocean Is., N & Latin America - New name
Bubulcus coromandus - Eastern Cattle Egret - S, E Asia, Australasia - Split from B. ibis

Ardea cinerea - Grey Heron - Widespread Eurasia, Africa, Asia
Ardea herodias - Great Blue Heron - Widespread North America, Middle America
Ardea cocoi - Cocoi Heron - Widespread South America
Ardea pacifica - White-necked Heron - Australia, S New Guinea
Ardea melanocephala - Black-headed Heron - Widespread Africa
Ardea humbloti - Humblot's Heron - Madagascar
Ardea insignis - White-bellied Heron - E Himalayas
Ardea sumatrana - Great-billed Heron - Southeast Asia to N Australia
Ardea goliath - Goliath Heron - Widespread Africa
Ardea purpurea - Purple Heron - Widespread Eurasia, Asia, Africa
Ardea alba - Western Great Egret - North America, South America, Africa, Europe to C Asia - New name
Ardea modesta - Eastern Great Egret - S, E Asia to Indonesia and Australasia. Eurasia, Asia - Split from A. alba

Pilherodius pileatus - Capped Heron - E Panama to SE Brazil

Syrigma sibilatrix - Whistling Heron - N, SC, SE South America

Egretta intermedia - Intermediate Egret - Widespread Asia, Africa, Australasia - New name
Egretta picata - Pied Heron - Sulawesi to N Australia
Egretta novaehollandiae - White-faced Heron - Widespread Australasia
Egretta rufescens - Reddish Egret - S USA, Caribbean
Egretta ardesiaca - Black Heron - Widespread Africa
Egretta vinaceigula - Slaty Egret - SC Africa
Egretta tricolor - Tricolored Heron - SE USA to N South America
Egretta caerulea - Little Blue Heron - SE USA to S Brazil
Egretta thula - Snowy Egret - Widespread North America, Latin America
Egretta garzetta - Little Egret - Widespread Eurasia, Africa, Asia, Australasia
Egretta gularis - Western Reef Heron - W Africa, NE Africa to W India, Sri Lanka
Egretta dimorpha - Dimorphic Egret - E, Madagascar
Egretta sacra - Pacific Reef Heron - Southeast Asia to New Zealand
Egretta eulophotes - Chinese Egret - E Eurasia - SE Asia