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Bittern

Bitterns
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family†:Ardeidae
Genera
Ixobrychus
Botaurus
† see also: Heron

The Bitterns are members of the heron family Ardeidae. The wading birds in this group which are named as bitterns tend to be the shorter necked, often more secretive members of this family.

The heron family is one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes, which also includes other wading bird families:

Ciconiiformes

Unlike the similar storks, ibises and spoonbills, herons and bitterns fly with their necks retracted, not outstretched.

The following genera of the Ardeidae are considered under the Heron article:

Ardea
Zebrilus
Philherodias
Tigrisoma
Ardeola
Bubulcus
Egretta
Agamia
Butorides
Tigriornis
Tigrisoma
Gorsachius
Syrigma
Zonerodius
Nycticorax

Bitterns often frequent reedbeds and similar marshy areas, and feed on amphibians, reptiles, insects and fish.

Species are:

Genus Ixobrychus

Genus Botaurus