Herons Of Vietnam – Pittidae
With 20 species of Herons of Vietnam, occurring over the country, all of them are really easy to see in every corner of Vietnam. They are easy to find because of their appearance although with many colors but quite hard to ID what species in this family especially 5 species of Egret
The overview of Herons families
The Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 72 recognized species in the world, 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 group within the Ardeidae. Egrets do not form a biologically distinct group from 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.
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 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. A group of them is called a “siege.”
Are you looking for Wildlife Tours in Vietnam?
WANEE VIETNAM is the right place for the "Wildlife Tours in Vietnam", we specialize in Birding, Wildlife watching, Herping, Photography-tours and general Edu-tours by our experts.
Some Highlight Herons of Vietnam species
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 9 White-eared Night-Heron - Heron of Vietnam](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Add-a-subheading-17.jpg)
White-eared Night-Heron Gorsachius magnificus
Status: Uncommon resident – Endangered sp.
Best time to watch & Photo: Feb
Tour cover: Ba Be
Hotspot: Ba Be Np.
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 10 Herons Of Vietnam - Chinese Egret](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Add-a-subheading-18.jpg)
Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes
Status: Scarce Migrant – Vulnerable sp.
Best time to watch & Photo:
Tours: South Vietnam
Hotspot: Can Gio, Xuan Thuy, Go Cong
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 11 26 WANEE asia](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/26.jpg)
Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis
Status: Uncommon Migrant
Best time to watch & Photo: UNKNOW
Tours: South Central Vietnam
Hotspot: Bach Ma
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 12 27 WANEE asia](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/27.jpg)
Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Status: Common resident
Best time to watch & Photo:
Tours: Throughout Vietnam
Hotspot: Cat Tien, Yok Don, Tan Phu
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 13 Herons Of Vietnam - Grey Heron](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Add-a-subheading-20.jpg)
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Status: Local fairly common resident
Best time to watch & Photo:
Tours: Throughout
Hotspot: Di Linh, Dalat, Tram Chim, Cat Tien
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 14 28 WANEE asia](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/28.jpg)
Pacific Reef-Egret Egretta sacra
Status: Common Migrant
Best time to watch & Photo:
Tours: Mekong & Red River Delta
Hotspot: Can Gio, Xuan Thuy, Go Cong
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 15 Herons Of Vietnam - Malayan Night Heron](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Add-a-subheading-19.jpg)
Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus
Status: Local common resident
Best time to watch & Photo:
Hotspot: Tram Chim, Can Gio, Cat Tien, Ma Da
![20 Herons Of Vietnam 16 29 WANEE asia](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/29.jpg)
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Status: Local common resident
Best time to watch & Photo:
Tours: throughout
Hotspot: Ma Da, Tan Phu, Can Gio, Yok Don
List of all Herons in Vietnam
Name | Level | |
1 | Great Bittern | Hard |
2 | Yellow Bittern | Easy |
3 | Schrenck’s Bittern | Lack Data |
4 | Cinnamon Bittern | Easy |
5 | Black Bittern | Easy |
6 | Grey Heron | Easy |
7 | Great-billed Heron | Lack Data |
8 | Purple Heron | Easy |
9 | Great Egret | Easy |
10 | Intermediate Egret | Easy |
11 | Chinese Egret | Easy |
12 | Little Egret | Easy |
13 | Pacific Reef-Heron | Easy |
14 | Cattle Egret | Easy |
15 | Chinese Pond-Heron | Easy |
16 | Javan Pond-Heron | Easy |
17 | Striated Heron | Easy |
18 | Black-crowned Night-Heron | Easy |
19 | White-eared Night-Heron | Hard |
20 | Malayan Night-Heron | Hard |
Note: Hard – Really hard to see; Maybe – …..; Easy – Easy to see with guide; Impossible – Weak info; Lack Data – Consider out of list
Dalat Plateau Birding Herping and Wildlife Tours
The Dalat Plateau, rising 2,000 meters above sea level, is one of Vietnam’s most important [...]
Cat Tien National Park Birding Herping and Wildlife Tours
Cat Tien National Park tours offer an unforgettable experience with sightings of Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, [...]
Western Black Crested Gibbon – Nomascus concolor
Nestled within the verdant landscapes of Vietnam, the Western Black Crested Gibbon (Nomascus concolor) emerges [...]
Northern White-cheeked Gibbon – Nomascus leucogenys
The northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is a Critically Endangered gibbon species indigenous to South [...]
Northern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon – Nomascus annamensis
The Northern Yellow-Cheeked Crested Gibbon, or Nomascus annamensis, is an exclusive primate species found in [...]
Eastern Black Crested Gibbon – “Cao-vit Gibbon” – Nomascus nasutus
Nestled within the dense, emerald-green forests of Vietnam, the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon (Nomascus nasutus), [...]