Bitterns and herons
Small to very large, three species (a heron, a bittern and an egret) in the UK but several other rare visitors. All have long legs with particularly long toes, useful when wading on soft mud or standing on floating vegetation. Wings are broad and rounded, often markedly bowed in flight, and they all have long or very long, sinuous necks and dagger-shaped bills. They catch fish and other aquatic creatures by grabbing them in the bill rather than spearing. Many species nest in trees, often in mixed colonies, while bitterns are much more secretive and nest in dense reeds. There are many other species worldwide. Members of this familyThis list only includes birds that occur regularly within the UK. A secretive heron with a very distinctive call. |  |
The largest European heron. It can stand with neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunch down with its neck bent over its chest. In flight it holds its neck retracted and has large rounded wings. ... |  |
Little egrets are one of the UK's most recent colonisers. They first appeared in significant numbers in 1989, and can now be seen in most parts of the UK. |  |
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