Long-Legged WADERS of Africa
The long-legged waders are comprised of the egrets, herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and flamingos. They are a diverse group, united by their long legs that enable them to wade for food. The egrets and herons are in the Ardeidae family, while the ibises and spoonsbill belong to Threskiornithidae. These two families belong to the same order and it is considered by some to be the same order as the storks (Ciconiiformes), but DNA information is prompting them to be moved to a different order. The flamingos belong to their own order, Phoenicopteriformes.
Egrets
Order Ciconiiformes disputed Family Ardeidae
The herons and egrets make up the Ardeidae family. Species belonging to genus Ardea are usually considered to be herons and those belonging to genus Egretta are called egrets. However, there is no clear distinction between herons and egrets. Those species that are white or have fancy plumage are usually called egrets. Bitterns also belong to the Ardeidae family.A common feature of the Ardeidae species is that they fly with their necks retracted, unlike the ibis that fly with their necks outstretched
Genus Bubulcus - 1 species
Egret, Cattle Bubulcus ibis Found - The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia.
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Australia 3, 7) DIck - North Carolina 4) Dick - Puerto Rico
5, 6) Dick - Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Florida,
1, 2, 3) Breding
Genus Egretta
Egret, Little Egretta garzetta Fourd: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand
Similar to snowy egret.
3) Dick - Cairns, Australia 4) Birdman1 - the Okovango Delta of Botswana, Africa
5) Arno Meintjes 6, 7) Sandy Cole - St. Lucia, South Africa
1, 2) Breeding plumage. 7) The Little Egret, Egyption Geese, and Reed Cormorant kept the crocodile from coming ashore.
Heron, Western Reef Egretta gularis Found: Africa, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Bhardwaj Shanthanu - Kachchh, Gujarat, India 2, 3) ChriKo near St. Louis, Senegal
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Please contact Dick Daniels to determine whether specific photos can be copied.
Please contact Dick Daniels to determine whether specific photos can be copied.