Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae)

19 species in Singapore.

Herons, egrets, and bitterns (Ardeidae) are long-legged, long-necked wading birds found on every continent except Antarctica, almost always close to water. They hunt by standing motionless or walking slowly at the water's edge, then striking out with a long, dagger-like bill to spear or grab fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects. In flight they fold their necks into a tight S-shape, unlike similarly long-necked storks and cranes, which fly with their necks outstretched. Many populations migrate, and migrants reaching Singapore often still show traces of breeding colour when they arrive from around August.

This is one of the easier large families to 'clean up', and you might be able to do so within a single year, as all species are reliably recorded annually. The three pond herons are inseparable in non-breeding plumage, only distinguishable in partial and full breeding plumage. Chinese can be identified with just a few chestnut neck feathers, while Indian and Javan are more difficult to separate in partial breeding plumage. The large white egrets are told apart by size, overall structure, gape line, bill colour, and leg colour. Female and subadult of Cinnamon and Von Schrenck's Bittern can be tough to separate as well – the upperpart spotting pattern is the best identification feature.

Some species prefer coastal habitats, including Pacific Reef Heron on rocky shores and reefs, Chinese Egret on mudflats and estuaries, and Great-billed Heron along open coastal edges. Freshwater wetlands and grasslands have a greater diversity of species, and most of the remaining species can be recorded in such habitats. Malayan Night Heron is less dependent on water than the rest; it prefers densely wooded areas, but may also be recorded in parks and gardens on passage.

Most stand motionless or wade slowly before a rapid stab of the bill to grab prey. Herons and egrets may be recorded in large mixed flocks on open wetlands and grasslands. Bitterns and night herons are largely solitary and most active at dawn and dusk.