ECOLOGICAL NICHE

In Heron Bird

PREPARED BY:
REGINA PEREZ
Heron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds
in the family Ardeidae, with 64 recognized species, some
of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than
herons. Members of the genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus
are referred to as bitterns, and, together with the zigzag
heron, or zigzag bittern, in the monotypic genus Zebrilus,
form a monophyletic groupwithin the Ardeidae. Egrets are
not a biologically distinct group from the herons, and tend
to be named differently because they are mainly white or
have decorative plumes in breeding plumage. Herons, by
evolutionary adaptation, have long beaks.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Leach, 1820
 taxonomy
The classification of the individual heron/egret species is fraught with difficulty, and no
clear consensus exists about the correct placement of many species into either of the
two major genera, Ardea and Egretta. Similarly, the About 21 extant, Global
distribution of herons relationships of the genera in the family are not completely
resolved. However, one species formerly considered to constitute a separate monotypic
family, the Cochlearidae or the boat-billed heron, is now regarded as a member of the
Ardeidae. Although herons resemble birds in some other families, such as the storks,
ibises, spoonbills, and cranes, they differ from these in flying with their necks
retracted, not outstretched. They are also one of the bird groups that have powder
down. Some members of this group nest colonially in trees, while others, notably the
bitterns, use reed beds.
 Physical characteristics
The herons are medium- to large-sized birds with long legs and necks. They exhibit very
little sexual dimorphism in size. The smallest species is usually considered the little bittern,
which can measure under 30 cm (12 in) in length, The neck of this yellow bittern is fully
retracted. although all the species in the genus Ixobrychus are small and many broadly
overlap in size. The largest species of heron is the goliath heron, which stands up
to 152 cm (60 in) tall. The necks are able to kink in an S-shape, due to the modified
shape of the cervical vertebrae, of which they have 20–21. The neck is able to
retract and extend, and is retracted during flight, unlike most other long-necked birds.
The neck is longer in the day herons than the night herons and bitterns. The legs are
long and strong and in almost every species are unfeathered from the lower part of the tibia
(the exception is the zigzag heron). In flight, the legs and feet are held backward. The
feet of herons have long, thin toes, with three forward pointing ones and one pointing
backward.
Distribution and habitat
The herons are a widespread family with a cosmopolitan distribution. They exist on all
continents except Antarctica, and are present in most habitats except the coldest
extremes of the Arctic, extremely high mountains, and the driest deserts. Almost all
species are associated with water; they are essentially non swimming water birds that
feed on the margins of lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds, and the sea. They are predominantly
found in lowland areas, although some species live in alpine areas, and the majority of
species occurs in the tropics. The herons are a highly mobile family, with most species
being at least partially migratory. Some species are partially migratory, for example the
grey heron, which is mostly sedentary in Britain, but mostly migratory in Scandinavia.
Birds are particularly inclined to disperse widely after breeding, but before the annual
migration, where the species is colonial, searching out new feeding areas and reducing the
pressures on feeding grounds near the colony. The migration typically occurs at night,
usually as individuals or in small groups.
Behaviour and ecology
The herons and bitterns are carnivorous. The members of this family are mostly
associated with wetlands and water, and feed on a variety of live aquatic prey. Their
diet includes a wide variety of aquatic animals, including fish, reptiles, A great egret
manipulating its prey, a lizard, prior to swallowing amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs,
and aquatic insects. Individual species may be generalists or specialise in certain prey
types, such as the yellow-crowned night heron, which specialises in crustaceans,
particularly crabs.[4] Many species also opportunistically take larger prey, including
birds and bird eggs, rodents, and more rarely carrion. Even more rarely, herons
eating acorns, peas, and grains have been reported, but most vegetable matter
consumed is accidental.
REPRODUCTION
While the family exhibits a range of breeding strategies, overall, the herons are monogamous and
mostly colonial. Most day herons and night herons are colonial, or partly colonial depending on
circumstances, whereas the bitterns and tiger herons are mostly solitary nesters. Colonies may
contain several species, as well as other species of waterbirds. In a study of little egrets and
cattle egrets in India, the majority of the colonies surveyed contained both species. Nesting is
seasonal in temperate species; in tropical species, it may be seasonal (often coinciding with the
rainy season) or yearround. Even in year-round breeders, nesting intensity varies throughout the
year. Tropical herons typically have only one breeding season per year, unlike some other tropical
birds which may raise up to three broods a year. Courtship usually takes part on the nest.
Males arrive first and begin the building of the nest, where they display to attract females.
During courtship, the male employs a stretch display and uses erectile neck feathers; the neck
area may swell. The female risks an aggressive attack if she approaches too soon and
may have to wait up to four days. In colonial species, displays involve visual cues, which can
include adopting postures or ritual displays, whereas in solitary species, auditory cues, such as
the deep
booming of the bitterns, are important. The exception to this is the boat-billed heron, which
pairs up away from the nesting site. Having paired, they continue to build the nest in almost all
species, although in the little bittern and least bittern, only the male works on the nest.
THREATS
The night herons could warrant separation as subfamily Nycticoracinae, as it was
traditionally done. However, the position of some genera (e.g. Butorides or Syrigma)
is unclear at the moment, and molecular studies have until now suffered from a small
number of studied taxa. Especially, the relationships among the subfamily Ardeinae
are very badly resolved. The arrangement presented here should be considered
provisional. A 2008 study suggests that this family belongs to the Pelecaniformes. In
response to these findings, the International Ornithological Congress recently
reclassified Ardeidae and their sister taxa Threskiornithidae under the order
Pelecaniformes instead of the previous order of Ciconiiformes.