Birds of Ecuador

    PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae (Herons, Bitterns)  
Genus: Ardea (4 species, 16 worldwide)


Great Egret
Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta)
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

A common, large, tall, and thin egret, seen in wetlands and open fields as well.

Cocoi Heron
Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
 
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

A very large heron. Note more black on crown and around eyes, and white throat compared to North American Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias wardi)
Wakodahatchee, Florida, USA  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

The largest heron in North American is occasionally seen in South America. Compare to Cocoi Heron, but note great throat. There is an all white subspecies in the Caribbean.
In flight.
With a snake.
An all white race of [Great Blue Heron] is found almost exclusively in the Caribbean.
Two immatures at a nest.

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias wardi)
Wakodahatchee, Florida, USA  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

The largest heron in North American is occasionally seen in South America. Compare to Cocoi Heron, but note great throat. There is an all white subspecies in the Caribbean.
In flight.
With a snake.
An all white race of [Great Blue Heron] is found almost exclusively in the Caribbean.
Two immatures at a nest.

Western Cattle Egret
Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) Breeding Colors
 
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

A recently introduced species to the Americas. Generally seen with livestock. Roosts in groups of thousands in some places.


© Tom Friedel - All Rights Reserved, except for images and data otherwise noted.       Colombia       Panama       Ecuador       Costa Rica       Mexico
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