A Bird Family Called Ardeidae
A Bird Family Called Ardeidae, how to pronounce this word. Ar·de·i·dae | \ ärˈdēəˌdē. I have been photographing these two species of birds for years, the Great Egrets and Blue Herons. When I saw this photo below, I realized how similar these two birds are. Come to find out they are in the same family also.
Definition of Ardeidae
A family of long-legged and long-necked migratory wading birds comprising the herons and bitterns.
In the family Ardeidae, there are 64 different species which have been identified and are recognized. Some of these species are called bitterns or egrets in place of herons due to the differences in their appearance.
Read more: Difference Between Heron and Egret
Herons and egrets are both, freshwater, coastal birds. But these photos were taken here in the mid west. And this was the first year I saw the White Egrets here on the Mississippi river. So it was a surprise and so much fun to photograph them.
I have a handful of photos left to post of these two beautiful birds. But I hope to see more of them again next year.
A Bird Family Called Ardeidae
47 Replies to “A Bird Family Called Ardeidae”
this is so pretty! I love the photos and the way you explained everything! I am a BIG FAN of birds too you know!
Thank you very much, they are wonderful, I love photographing them.😊
Thank you very much, birding is such a w ok wonderful thing. I have been enjoying it for years. Isn’t it exciting when you see a new bird for the first time? I love that.
Brilliant photos 😀
Thank you very much.
Those are great photos of them in flight and the beautiful wings touching the water and reflecting on the water as well. I have never seen an egret and heron side by side so didn’t realize how much larger the heron is. Surprised me!
Thank you Linda, yes the heron landed by the egret, and they were giving each other the eye. Then the heron left.
Funny, you’d think the egret would have left first since he’s smaller … just read a story and don’t remember where about the pecking order at the feeder. When I see Jocelyn Anderson’s videos of her palm outstretched with seeds on it, you see some birds do a U-turn or won’t land on her hand at all in deference to a Red-Bellied Woodpecker or a Jay.
Absolutely adore those moments when the wingtips touch the water. Amazing work, and great details!
Thank you very much Scott ,🙂
I love these pictures! I see these beautiful birds a lot, down in California. It’s nice to put a name to them, thank you! 🙂
You are very welcome. Thank you. 🙂
the are beautiful.
They really are Seraja, thank you 🙂
i love your birds photos
Thank you very much Seraja, have a wonderful evening or day where you are. 🙂
yes it was .relaxing day .and you
A wonderful day Seraja, the sun finally shined today. That makes it beautiful. 🙂
You got some incredible pictures from the Ardeidae family reunion. Oh if only the egrets could tell their story and explain what drew them this year to visit the Mississippi River.
Yes, wouldn’t that be something Beth, I have never seen this many Egrets here in the mid west. It was so special. I really only thought you could see them like in Florida. I spent many days with them and then they were gone. Have a good evening Beth.
Great pictures as always, but if you haven’t seen the egrets before now I’m a bit worried. Is the a gang war in your future? I mean the family Pelicanidae has been there a while and now the family Ardeidae is moving in. Could It be a bloody turf war coming? Stay as safe as you can. It’s always the innocent who suffer the most.
May the Farce be with you
🙂 That is the question Mr. Ohh, 🙂 it was so strange to see that many of them. The Herons were trying to stand their ground. But, alas, they are all gone again. 🙂
It’s gonna be a turf war You heard it here first
Amazing!
Thank you very much. 🙂
Your photos are breathtaking…
Thank you, Sandra. Have a great day.
Thank you very much Francine, you to. 🙂
They are among my favorite birds. We vacationed at a hotel near Charlottesville, VA, a few years ago. We overlooked a stocked ornamental lake. Although, we had seen great blue herons for years, we were surprised to see a pair with a nest high up on a big tree. How these birds with their very long legs manage to land and perch on a thick tree branch was as astonishment. (Guess I never bothered to learn their nesting habits).
I know, I have never seen one in a tree either except in others photos. Someday I would like to visit one of the places they nest like that. I don’t know how they stand on a branch either. 🙂
Wonderful birds! Thank you for this post. 😊
You are very welcome. 🙂
Beautiful photos AND I learned something today!
Thank you very much Helen. 🙂
These birds are so beautiful!
Amazing !! 😀
They really are Nuno, thank you. 🙂
The pictures are marvelous, So special to have them both in one shot !
Thank you, yes they did not stand together for very long.
Interesting share. Thank you Sandra.
Thank you. 🙂
Gorgeous birds! I’ve seen both here in the Western Cape of South Africa.
That is so cool that they are in so many different places. Thank you Chris.
I regularly see blue herons and egrets in the San Lorenzo River here in Santa Cruz, beautiful birds.
They really are, I see the herons more the Egrets here. Thank you Robert.
You’re welcome Sandra 🙂
Actually, I like all pictures but I like the second picture more i.e. the post of both birds, one flying and the other did not mind the wings. I can’t imagine how fast your fingers are, Sandra and the camera’s processor.
Thank you very much Kent, it was a fun day. Lots of activity, I did not know which way to turn the camera at times, there were so many birds. I do enjoy days like that.