Bird group

Herons, Ibis, and Allies

103 species in this group — each with its conservation status, population estimate and a short description.

African Sacred Ibis
Threskiornis aethiopicus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The African Sacred Ibis is a wetland bird of sub-Saharan African forests, savannas, wetlands, and open country. It feeds in shallow water,…

African Spoonbill
Platalea alba
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The African Spoonbill is a wetland bird of sub-Saharan African forests, savannas, wetlands, and open country. It feeds in shallow water,…

Agami Heron
Agamia agami
Vulnerable≈ Unknown

The Agami Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The American Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Andean Ibis
Theristicus branickii
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Andean Ibis is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on…

Australasian Bittern
Botaurus poiciloptilus
Endangered≈ 1K-2.5K

The Australasian Bittern is a wetland bird of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

Australian Ibis
Threskiornis molucca
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Australian Ibis is a wetland bird of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Bare-faced Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma mexicanum
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Bare-throated Tiger-Heron is a wetland bird of Mexico and Central America. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on…

Black Bittern
Botaurus flavicollis
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Black Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Black Heron
Black Heron
Egretta ardesiaca
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Black Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Black-backed Bittern
Botaurus dubius
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Black-backed Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Black-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Black-crowned Night Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow…

Black-faced Ibis
Theristicus melanopis
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Black-faced Ibis is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Black-faced Spoonbill
Platalea minor
Endangered≈ 6K-7K

The Black-faced Spoonbill is a wetland bird of China and East Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Black-headed Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Black-headed Ibis
Black-headed Ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalus
Least Concern≈ 16K–21K

The Black-headed Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Boat-billed Heron
Cochlearius cochlearius
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Boat-billed Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Buff-necked Ibis
Theristicus caudatus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Buff-necked Ibis is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Capped Heron
Pilherodius pileatus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Capped Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Chinese Egret
Egretta eulophotes
Vulnerable≈ 2.5K–10K

The Chinese Egret is a wetland bird of China and East Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Chinese Pond-Heron
Ardeola bacchus
Least Concern≈ 500K–5M

The Chinese Pond-Heron is a wetland bird of China and East Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Cinnamon Bittern
Botaurus cinnamomeus
Least Concern≈ 130K–2M

The Cinnamon Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Cocoi Heron is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on…

Crested Ibis
Nipponia nippon
Endangered≈ 5K-7K

The Crested Ibis is a wetland bird of China and East Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Dwarf Bittern
Botaurus sturmii
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Dwarf Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Eastern Cattle-Egret
Ardea coromanda
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Eastern Cattle-Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellaris
Least Concern≈ 110K–340K

The Eurasian Bittern is a wetland bird of Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
Least Concern≈ 60–65K

The Eurasian Spoonbill is a wetland bird of Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

Fasciated Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma fasciatum
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Fasciated Tiger-Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Forest Bittern
Zonerodius heliosylus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Forest Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Giant Ibis
Pseudibis gigantea
Critically Endangered≈ 200-300

The Giant Ibis is a wetland bird of northern Cambodian and southern Lao wetlands and open forest. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or…

Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Glossy Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Goliath Heron
Ardea goliath
Least Concern≈ 500K–5M

The Goliath Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Gray Heron
Ardea cinerea
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Gray Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds,…

Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Great Blue Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Great Egret
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Great Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Great-billed Heron
Ardea sumatrana
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Great-billed Heron is a wetland bird of Sumatra. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Green Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Green Ibis
Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Green Ibis is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Hadada Ibis
Bostrychia hagedash
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Hadada Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Humblot's Heron
Ardea humbloti
Endangered≈ 1K-2.5K

The Humblot's Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Indian Pond-Heron
Ardeola grayii
Least Concern≈ 50K–500K

The Indian Pond-Heron is a wetland bird of the Indian subcontinent. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Japanese Night Heron
Gorsachius goisagi
Endangered≈ 1K-2.5K

The Japanese Night Heron is a wetland bird of Japan. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Javan Pond-Heron
Ardeola speciosa
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Javan Pond-Heron is a wetland bird of Java and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Lava Heron
Butorides sundevalli
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Lava Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds,…

Least Bittern
Botaurus exilis
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Least Bittern is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Little Bittern
Botaurus minutus
Least Concern≈ 60K–120K

The Little Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Little Blue Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Little Egret
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Little Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Little Heron
Butorides atricapilla
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Little Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Madagascar Ibis
Lophotibis cristata
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Madagascar Ibis is a wetland bird of Madagascar. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Malagasy Pond-Heron
Ardeola idae
Endangered≈ 1K-2.5K

The Malagasy Pond-Heron is a wetland bird of Madagascar. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Malagasy Sacred Ibis
Threskiornis bernieri
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Malagasy Sacred Ibis is a wetland bird of Madagascar. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Malayan Night Heron
Gorsachius melanolophus
Least Concern≈ ~20K

The Malayan Night Heron is a wetland bird of Sundaland forests and lowlands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on…

Medium Egret
Ardea intermedia
Least Concern≈ 500K–5M

The Medium Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Nankeen Night Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Nankeen Night Heron is a wetland bird of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

Northern Bald Ibis
Geronticus eremita
Endangered≈ 700-1K

The Northern Bald Ibis is a wetland bird of Arabia, the Middle East, and nearby drylands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

Olive Ibis
Bostrychia olivacea
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Olive Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds,…

Pacific Heron
Ardea pacifica
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Pacific Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Pacific Reef-Heron
Egretta sacra
Least Concern≈ 500K–5M

The Pacific Reef-Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Pied Heron
Egretta picata
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Pied Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds,…

Pinnated Bittern
Botaurus pinnatus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Pinnated Bittern is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Plumbeous Ibis
Theristicus caerulescens
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Plumbeous Ibis is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Plumed Egret
Ardea plumifera
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Plumed Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Puna Ibis
Plegadis ridgwayi
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Puna Ibis is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on…

Purple Heron
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Least Concern≈ 180K–380K

The Purple Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Red-naped Ibis
Pseudibis papillosa
Least Concern≈ 7K–11K

The Red-naped Ibis is a wetland bird of the Indian subcontinent. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Reddish Egret is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Roseate Spoonbill is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Royal Spoonbill
Platalea regia
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Royal Spoonbill is a wetland bird of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Rufescent Tiger-Heron is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

Rufous-bellied Heron
Ardeola rufiventris
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Rufous-bellied Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Sao Tome Ibis
Bostrychia bocagei
Critically Endangered≈ 50-250

The Sao Tome Ibis is a wetland bird of Sao Tome and Principe. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Scarlet Ibis
Eudocimus ruber
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Scarlet Ibis is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Schrenck's Bittern
Botaurus eurhythmus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Schrenck's Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Sharp-tailed Ibis
Cercibis oxycerca
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Sharp-tailed Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Slaty Egret
Egretta vinaceigula
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Slaty Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Snowy Egret is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

Southern Bald Ibis
Geronticus calvus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Southern Bald Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Spot-breasted Ibis
Bostrychia rara
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Spot-breasted Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Squacco Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Straw-necked Ibis
Threskiornis spinicollis
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Straw-necked Ibis is a wetland bird of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Striated Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Stripe-backed Bittern
Botaurus involucris
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Stripe-backed Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Tricolored Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Wattled Ibis
Bostrychia carunculata
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Wattled Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Western Cattle-Egret
Ardea ibis
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Western Cattle-Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Western Reef-Heron
Egretta gularis
Least Concern≈ 500K–5M

The Western Reef-Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Whistling Heron
Syrigma sibilatrix
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Whistling Heron is a wetland bird of South American wetlands and open country. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland…

White Ibis
Eudocimus albus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The White Ibis is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…

White-backed Night Heron
Calherodius leuconotus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The White-backed Night Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow…

White-bellied Heron
White-bellied Heron
Ardea insignis
Critically Endangered≈ 50-250

The White-bellied Heron is a wetland bird of Himalayan foothill rivers of northeastern India, Bhutan, and Myanmar. It feeds in shallow…

White-crested Tiger-Heron
Tigriornis leucolopha
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The White-crested Tiger-Heron is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow…

White-eared Night Heron
Oroanassa magnifica
Endangered≈ 1.5K-15K

The White-eared Night Heron is a wetland bird of China and East Asia. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish,…

White-faced Heron
Egretta novaehollandiae
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The White-faced Heron is a wetland bird of Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet…

White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The White-faced Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

White-shouldered Ibis
Pseudibis davisoni
Critically Endangered≈ 250-1K

The White-shouldered Ibis is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Yellow Bittern
Botaurus sinensis
Least Concern≈ 2M–20M

The Yellow Bittern is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water, mud,…

Yellow-billed Egret
Ardea brachyrhyncha
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Yellow-billed Egret is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow water,…

Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Platalea flavipes
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Yellow-billed Spoonbill is a wetland bird of wetlands, rivers, marshes, and coasts across the species' range. It feeds in shallow…

Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs,…

Zigzag Heron
Zebrilus undulatus
Least Concern≈ Unknown

The Zigzag Heron is a wetland bird of the Americas. It feeds in shallow water, mud, reeds, or wet grassland on fish, frogs, crustaceans,…