Herons are long-legged, long-necked birds in the family Ardeidae, with 75 recognized species, including egrets and bitterns. They are characterized by their long, harpoon-like bills and typically exhibit a cosmopolitan distribution, being found on all continents except Antarctica. Herons feed primarily on aquatic prey like fish, reptiles, and crustaceans, often inhabiting wetlands and edges of bodies of water.
The classification of herons and egrets can be complicated, as there is no clear consensus on the placement of many species within the major genera, Ardea and Egretta. Herons have unique breeding plumage and tend to be mostly white, while bitterns often inhabit reed beds. They are highly mobile, with many species partially migratory, and typically migrate at night to find new feeding grounds.
Generally, herons and egrets show little sexual dimorphism in plumage, although some species have distinct color morphs. Their diet primarily consists of live aquatic animals, although they may occasionally consume larger prey or vegetable matter.
