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| Herons | |
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| Snowy egret, Egretta thula, with chicks | |
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| Family: | Ardeidae Leach, 1820 |
Herons are wading birds in the Ardeidae family. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called egrets or bitterns instead of herons.
In the family, all members of the genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus are called bitterns: they are a monophyletic group within the Ardeidae.
On the other hand, egrets are not a biologically distinct group. They are called egrets because they are mainly white and/or have decorative plumes. Although egrets have the same build as the larger herons, they tend to be smaller.
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