"The bitterns are distinguished from the herons proper, besides other characteristics, by having the feathers of the neck loose and divided, which makes it appear thicker than in reality it is."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Bittern

"The bitterns are distinguished from the herons proper, besides other characteristics, by having the…

The Heron Candelabrum has a design of heron birds that support the stem.

Heron Candelabrum

The Heron Candelabrum has a design of heron birds that support the stem.

"A name often given to various species of Heron, particularly those which, at least during the breeding season, have the feathers on the lower part of the back lengthened and their barbs loose, so that this part of the plumage is very soft and flowing." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Egret

"A name often given to various species of Heron, particularly those which, at least during the breeding…

"Herodias. Great Egret Heron. Character of Ardea proper, excepting in plumage; color white; no crest; a long depending train of still-shafted loose-webbed scapular feathers in the breeding season. Size large, only exceeded by the species of Ardea." Elliot Coues, 1884

European Great White Egret

"Herodias. Great Egret Heron. Character of Ardea proper, excepting in plumage; color white; no crest;…

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large wading bird of the Ardeidae family of herons.

Great Egret

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large wading bird of the Ardeidae family of herons.

An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes (usually milky white) during the breeding season. Many egrets are members of the genera Egretta or Ardea which contain other species named as herons rather than egrets. The distinction between a heron and an egret is rather vague, and depends more on appearance than biology. The word "egret" comes from the French word "aigrette", referring to the long filamentous feathers that seem to cascade down an egret's back during the breeding season.

Egrets

An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine…

An illustration of Heron's fountain. Heron's fountain is a hydraulic machine invented by the first century inventor, mathematician, and physicist Heron, also known as Hero of Alexandria. Heron studied the pressure of air and steam, and built the first steam engine as well as toys that would spurt water, one of them known as Heron's fountain. Various versions of Heron's Fountain are used today in physics classes as a demonstration of principles of hydraulics and pneumatics

Heron's Fountain

An illustration of Heron's fountain. Heron's fountain is a hydraulic machine invented by the first century…

Herons are found on the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes and live on fishes, reptiles and sometimes small mammals. They have long stout and sharp-pointed beaks, in order to catch fish.

Heron

Herons are found on the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes and live on fishes, reptiles and sometimes…

Herons are found on the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes and live on fishes, reptiles and sometimes small mammals. They have long stout and sharp-pointed beaks, in order to catch fish.

Heron

Herons are found on the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes and live on fishes, reptiles and sometimes…

Herons are found on the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes and live on fishes, reptiles and sometimes small mammals. They have long stout and sharp-pointed beaks, in order to catch fish.

Heron

Herons are found on the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes and live on fishes, reptiles and sometimes…

These wading birds mostly spend their time wading about in shallow water, feeding upon small fishes, shell-fish, worms and insects.

Heron

These wading birds mostly spend their time wading about in shallow water, feeding upon small fishes,…

"Heron is the common name of birds of the genus Ardea. The herons are distinguished by having a long bill cleft beneath the eyes, a compressed body, long slender legs naked above the tarsal joint, three toes in front, the two outer united by a membrane, and by moderate wings. The tail is short, rounded, and composed of 10 or 12 feathers. The common heron is about three feet in length from the point of the bill to the end of the tail, builds its nest in high trees, many being sometimes on one tree. Its food consists of fish, frogs, mollusks, mice, moles, and similar small animals. It has an insatiable voracity, and digests its food with great rapidity. It haunts fresh water streams, marshes, ponds, and lakes, as also the seashore."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Heron

"Heron is the common name of birds of the genus Ardea. The herons are distinguished by having a long…

The head and leg of the heron, a bird in the Ardeidae family of wading birds.

Heron Head and Leg

The head and leg of the heron, a bird in the Ardeidae family of wading birds.

"Pelvis of a heron (ardea herodias), nat. size, viewed from below; from nature by Dr. R.W. Shufeldt, U.S.A.   dl, dorso-lumbar vertebrae to and including the last one, sc; below sc, for the extent of the large black spaces (opposite the arrow) are the true sacral vertebrae; us, urosacral vertebrae (opposite the five oval black spaces; Il, ilium; Is, ischium; P, pubis; ob, obturator foramen. The arrow flies into the acetabulum.

The Pelvis of a Heron

"Pelvis of a heron (ardea herodias), nat. size, viewed from below; from nature by Dr. R.W. Shufeldt,…

This heron has a bill like an overturned boat. It also has a beautiful black crest that falls down behind its head.

Boatbill Heron

This heron has a bill like an overturned boat. It also has a beautiful black crest that falls down behind…

"The most typical forms of Ardea (Common Heron) are large slaty-coloured birds, varied by black, rufous, and white, the head being commonly darker and lower parts striped; while two slender occipital plumes are, in most cases, developed in the nuptial period, and the scapular and jugular feathers are elongated, though not decomposed." A. H. Evans, 1900

Common Heron

"The most typical forms of Ardea (Common Heron) are large slaty-coloured birds, varied by black, rufous,…

The European night heron draws its name from its nocturnal habits.

European Night Heron

The European night heron draws its name from its nocturnal habits.

Also known as the crested heron, the European gray heron ranges from Middle and Southern Europe into parts of Asia and Africa.

Gray Heron

Also known as the crested heron, the European gray heron ranges from Middle and Southern Europe into…

"Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)."-Whitney, 1902

Great Blue Heron

"Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)."-Whitney, 1902

White, often with a yellowish tinge, the great white heron of America closely resembles its European cousin.

Great White Heron

White, often with a yellowish tinge, the great white heron of America closely resembles its European…

"twenty-nine inches long; slate-gray above; dark maroon and slate-gray beneath ; found in the warmer parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa." — Goodrich, 1859

Purple Heron

"twenty-nine inches long; slate-gray above; dark maroon and slate-gray beneath ; found in the warmer…

"The Grey Heron in full flight. In the heron the wings are deeply concave, and unusually large as compared with the size of the bird."—Pettigrew, 1874

The Grey Heron

"The Grey Heron in full flight. In the heron the wings are deeply concave, and unusually large as compared…

A jaribu and a flamingo standing together.

Jarbiru and Flamingo

A jaribu and a flamingo standing together.

This sculpture is two dimensional. It represents two dogs fighting over a heron's nest in a high relief style.

Sculpture

This sculpture is two dimensional. It represents two dogs fighting over a heron's nest in a high relief…

Drawing its name from the widing of its bill towards the tip, the spoonbill frequents coastal and marshy areas, feeding on shellfish, marine animals, small snails, and fish.

Roseate Spoonbill

Drawing its name from the widing of its bill towards the tip, the spoonbill frequents coastal and marshy…

Measuring about three feet in length, the white stork migrates to Europe during the summer, and back to Africa and Asia during the winter months.

White Stork

Measuring about three feet in length, the white stork migrates to Europe during the summer, and back…