Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

OTHER NAMES: Boatbill
Latin Etymology: Cochlearius (a snail shaped spoon) cochlearius (a snail shaped spoon)

Juvenile Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Cochlearius cochlearius panamensis
Weight: 500-770g  /  Length: 54cm  /  Wingspan: 76cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This bizarre looking heron is unique in that it is the only heron that attacks with a scooping motion rather than the typical spearing one. They are found around swamps, marshes and ponds with dense foliage around, and then hunt nocturnally thanks to their large eyes. Their range consists of Central America and most of Brazil on into it's neighbouring countries
 
Related Species: 
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Cochlearius
SUBSPECIES: C. c. zeledoni, C. c. phillipsi, C. c. ridgwayi, C. c. panamensis, C. c. cochlearius
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Pico Cuchara ("Spoonbeak")

Widespread resident of lowlands where appropraite habitat is found
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Nyctanassa ("night queen") violacea ("violet coloured")

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Unclear
Weight: 650-850g  /  Length: 55-70cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widely ranging species found from the Great Lakes to near the Southern edge of Brazil including across the Caribbean, although it mainly favours coastal sites  particularly mudflats and mangroves. The subspecies aren't clearly understood how they intergrade and this bird falls within the border range of three and thus hasn't been identified. They are specialists in feeding on crustaceans and the bill sizes of the different populations correleate to the prey species within that range. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Nyctanassa
SUBSPECIES: N. v. violacea, N. v. bancrofti, N. v. caliginis, N. v. cayennensis, N. v. pauper
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Martinete Coronado
Coastal resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: One seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tigrisoma ("tiger body") mexicanum ("of Mexico")

Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1200g  /  Length: 80cm  /  Wingspan: 109-119cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fairly large heron species found in Central America, just verging into Colombia, they favour mangroves and freshwater marshlands. Unusually, the species is named more for it's appearance as a juvenile where it's plumage is more distinctly black and tan barred, evoking the tiger name.

Related Species: 
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Tigrisoma
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Garza Tigre ("Tiger Heron")

A fairly common inhabitat of Coastal lowlands.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Butorides ("resembling a bittern") virescens ("greenish")

Subadult Green Heron (subspecies B. v. anthonyi)  at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Butorides virescens anthonyi
Weight: 240g  /  Length: 41-46cm  /  Wingspan: 64-68cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern*

*(Last assessed while still considered a part of Striated Heron)

Formerl considered part of the Striated Heron found in Asia, the Green Heron is a small secretive member of the heron family most often seen at dawn and dusk. Some populations are resident and some migratory, and there is evidence that in migratory populations they may develop longer wings.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Butorides
SUBSPECIES: B. v. anthonyi, B. v. bahamensis, B. v. frazari, B. v. maculaa, B. v. virescens

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Found throughout the Eastern States and in the South and Coastally in the West.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Ardea ("Heron") herodias ("heron")

Adult Great Blue Heron (subspecies A. h. herodias)  at Berkeley, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Ardea herodias herodias
Weight: 1.82-3.6kg  /  Length: 91-137cm  /  Wingspan: 167-201cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The New World equivalent of the Grey Heron - but is a somewhat larger and heavier seeming bird, although their is some slight overlap in this range. They also have rust-red coloration in patches around their body, including the feathers on their legs and patches on their neck and face. They do however both fulfil the niche of the standard large heron species found on their respective continents and thus can be found in similar habitats.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Ardea
SUBSPECIES: A. h. fannini, A. h. herodias, A. h. wardi, A. h. occidentalis, A. h. cognata

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA
A locally common resident.
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: One bird seen at Tarcoles

UNITED STATES 
Found throughout the Lower 48 and Southern Alaska
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)

OTHER NAMES: Chinese Pond-Heron

Latin Etymology: Ardeola ("small heron") bacchus (after Bacchus - for wine coloured breeding plumage)

Adult non-breeding plumage Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 46cm  /  Wingspan: 75-90cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This is a fairly average sized small heron species found broadly over continetal East-Asia, but perhaps notable most for the identification headache it causes - it is part of a group of three species, the other two being Javan Pond Heron and Indian Pond Heron that while in the non-breeding plumage appear functionally identical to each other, though distinct when breeding.  Fortunately for me, this bird isn't *quite* in full on non-breeding plumage and the identification can just about be made by the hint of maroon plumage around the face.  All three species can be found in Malaysia though, so care must be taken.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae 
Genus: Ardeola 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - កុកក្រកក្បាលត្នោតចាស់ ("Cinnamon, old brown head")

A locally abundant resident

 - Abundant at Prek Toal

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pucung Cina ("China Heron")
A fairly common non-breeding migrant.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single individual in Kuala Lumpur in the central gardens.

SINGAPORE - Common

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen around the Lower Pierce Reservoir area

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto    .

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

OTHER NAMES: Little Heron, Little Green Heron, Green-backed Heron, Mangrove Heron

Latin Etymology: Butorides ("resembling a bittern") striata ("striated")

Adult Striated Heron (subspecies B. s. javanica) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Butorides striata javanica
Weight: 125-250g  /  Length: 35-45cm  /  Wingspan: 50-60cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very widespread species, found across the tropics of the globe - found on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.  It is highly variable between the subspecies with different races having different plumage patterns and coloration - even on the legs.   In Malaysia, this species was easily the most common heron seen on my trip and was seen in both fresh and saltwater habitats - and indeed occasionally just in trees not particularly near bodies of water.  It is known to feed on lizards and insects as well.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Butorides
SUBSPECIES: B. s. sundevalli, B. s. atricapilla, B. s. rutenbergi, B. s. brevipes, B. s. crawfordi, B. s. rhizophorae, B. s. degens, B. s. albolimbata, B. s. chloriceps, B. s. javanica, B. s. amurensis, B. s.  actophila, B. s. spodiogaster, B. s. carcinophila, B. s. steini, B. s. moluccara, B. s. idenburgi, B. s. stagnatalis, B. s. flyensis, B. s. macrorhyncha, B.s. solomonensis, B. s. patruelis 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ក្រអាច់ ឬ ក្រសាស្វាយ ("Paper"  / "Purple paper")

 A fairly common resident..

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Seen at Prek Toal 

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pucung Keladi

Common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: The most common heron in the region - seen in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca 

SINGAPORE - A local resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Ardea ("heron" - named for mythical town of Ardea) purpurea ("purple coloured")

                                                  Purple Heron (subspecies A. p. purpurea) at Arrocampo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: Ardea purpurea purpurea

Weight: 0.5-1.35kg  /  Length: 88-94cm  /  Wingspan: 120-152cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The closest relation of the Grey Heron in Europe, the Purple Heron is however far more localised and secretive that it's grey cousin; a species of reed-beds found primarily in Mediterranean countries in Europe.  It is another widely distributed species however, found in addition to Southern Europe across India, South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.  This is one of those species where the name doesn't necessarily make that much sense when examined; while there is a sort of purple quality to it if you squint at it, the more general impression is one of a coppery-orange and grey.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Ardea
Subspecies: A. p. purpurea, A. p. bournei, A. p. madagascariensis, A. p. manilensis

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer Name: ក្រសាធ្នង់

A fairly common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Several at Prek Toal

SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen at  Bishan Park

SPAIN - Spanish - Garza Imperial - ("Imperial Heron")

Widespread but local Resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen at Navaseca (2 individuals flying into reeds), Arrocampo (numerous) and Rivas Vaciamadrid (2 birds)

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)

OTHER NAMES: Little Bittern

Latin Etymology: Ixobrychus ("reed like plant") minutus ("little")

                                           Adult Common Little Bittern (subspecies I. m. minutus) at El Pardo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: Ixobrychus minutus minutus

Weight: 59-150g  /  Length: 25-36cm  /  Wingspan: 40-58cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Common Little Bittern is easily the smallest member of the Heron Family found in Europe - my first glimpse of this species flying away from me up a river and my first thought was some species of crake until I saw it's face.  They are a secretive species, yet seemingly not so much as the great Bittern, and their smaller size allows them to be present in smaller reed-beds than it's relative could hide in.  At El Pardo I saw my first individual which was fairly showy in that it stayed in the open for an extended amount of time once it had landed - I saw far more at Arrocampo reserve near Monfrague National Park, but these individuals were really only seen in transit from one reed-bed to the next.

Related Species: 
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Ixobrychus
Subspecies: I. m. minutus, I. m. payesii, I. m. podiceps

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Avetorillo común ("Common Bittern")

Locally common resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen in small numbers at El Pardo (one or two birds seen) and Arrocampo (at least 2 individuals)

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

OTHER NAMES: Cattle Egret

Latin Etymology: Bubulcus ("cow-herd") ibis ("ibis")

Winter plumage adult Western Cattle Egret (subspecies B. i. ibis) at El Rocio, Spain - December 2011

Featured Subspecies: Bubulcus ibis ibis
Weight: 270-512g  /  Length: 51cm  /  Wingspan: 88-96cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Cattle Egret has in the span of this blogs existence gone from largely a vagrant to a regular wintering visitor, with a population of around 100 each year, and may well continue from there.  It can be differentiated from the little egret by the yellow bill and from the great white egret by the smaller size and stockier body.  In Spain it is far far more common, and can be found in wetland, or on fields with cattle or horses.  It is replaced in East Asia by the closely related Eastern Cattle Egret.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Bubulcus
Subspecies: B. i. ibis, B. i. coromandus, B. i. seychellarum

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An increasingly regular Winter visitor and vagrant.

-- A flock of 9 present at Woodford, Northants in April 2022

SPAIN - Spanish -  Garcilla bueyera ("Oxen Egret")

Common to locally abundant resident in appropriate habitat.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: A number seen near Italica, around 10 seen in the vicinity of El Rocio
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Fairly common, seen in flight at various random locations, numerous near Arrocampo.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great White Egret (Ardea alba)

OTHER NAMES: Great Egret, Common Egret, Large Egret

Latin Etymology: Ardea ("Heron") alba ("white")

Top: Adult Great White Egret (subspecies A. a. alba) at Summer Leys Reserve. March 2022

Featured Subspecies: Ardea alba alba
Weight: 700-1500g  /  Length: 80-104cm  /  Wingspan: 131-170cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Since the time this blog started, the Great White Egret has gone from a rare occassional species to a mainstay of British wetlands being seen regularly at many local sites consistantly throughout the year.  Even beyond that, it is a very widely distributed species globally, found on every continent except Antarctica and found in nearly any habitat where there is non-frozen water for it to feed in, and indeed, is with the possible exception of the feral pigeon the species I have seen in most countries.

Related species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae 
Genus: Ardea 
Subspecies: A. a. alba, A. a. egretta, A. a. melanorhynchos, A. a. modesta

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare Winter migrant (35 individuals) and regular vagrant.

 - A regular at Pitsford Reservoir in Winter, seen in multiple years.

CAMBODIA - Khmer: កុកគ្រោងធំ  ("Big ?")

A locally common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common at Prek Toal

COSTA RICA

A locally common resident.

 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Common at Tarcoles

JAPAN -  Japanese - ダイサギ /  Dai-sagi ("Large Heron")

Locally common resident

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single bird at Kyoto.

SINGAPORE - An locally common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Fairly common at Sungei Buloh

SPAIN - Spanish - Garceta grande ("Great Egret")

A fairly common resident in appropriate habitat,

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A few birds seen at Arrocampo.

UNITED STATES 
Resident on most of the Coastal areas, winters throughout
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

OTHER NAMES: Great Bittern, Bittern

Latin Etymology: Botaurus ("bittern") stellaris ("starred")

  Adult Eurasian Bittern (subspecies B. s. stellaris) at Summer Leys, Northants- September 2023

Featured Subspecies: Botaurus stellaris stellaris

Weight: 865-1900g  /  Length: 64-80cm  /  Wingspan: 100-130cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

At the time I first saw this species, the Bittern was a fairly tricky species to see, however, it has been getting commoner due to the success of conservation, and can now be seen at an increasing number of locations, particularly in Winter.  It is a large heron, but unlike the other species found in the UK it is very secretive - its camouflage is designed specifically to blend in with their reed-bed habitats - particularly when they maintain they distinctive bolt upright pose.  However, when the bodies of water they are on freeze around the edge, they are often pushed to leave the reeds a bit more, enabling them to be seen more easily.   They are a scarce bird in the UK, but conservation has seen the number of breeding males increase by a significant percentage over the last 10 years.  In the breeding season, it can often be heard if not seen from it's distinctive booming mating call.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Botaurus
Subspecies: B. s. stellaris, B. s. capensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare breeding resident (80 males) and widespread but rare Winter visitor (600 birds)

 - A single birds seen at Rutland Water in December 2009, Fen Drayton in May 2017 and Summer Leys in September 2023.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .