The family Ardeidae is comprised of 64 species of herons, egrets, bitterns, and night-herons that are distributed worldwide. In general, members of this family have long legs, long bills, and have exquisite feather plumes present during breeding. Most members of this family are wading birds found in various aquatic habitats, and all are carnivorous. Many nest in colonies. In flight, these birds have their necks withdrawn, not extended like the crane family, and their long legs trail behind.

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