Botaurus Stephens, 1819 General Zoology, or systematic natural history 11 pt2 p.592 Ardeastellaris Linnaeus, 1758; Type by subsequent designation (Gray, 1840, A list of the genera of birds, with an indication of the typical species of each genus, p.66)
364. Great BitternBotaurus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758) Alternative Names: Eurasian Bittern, Bittern IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II. CMS: Appendix II.
364a. Botaurus stellaris stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758) [HB#59] Original Description:Ardeastellaris Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.144 Distribution: Winter: Sporadically in all states in N, W, and SW India – rare in eastern half of the Peninsula though have been reported from Assam, Bihar, W Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra, perhaps during passage migration. Specimens: BNHS, ROM
365. Black BitternBotaurus flavicollis (Latham, 1790) IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II.
365a. Botaurus flavicollis flavicollis (Latham, 1790) [HB#58] Original Description:Ardeaflavicollis Latham, 1790 Index ornithologicus, sive systema ornithologiæ; complectens avium divisionem in classes, ordines, genera, species, ipsarumque varietates: adjectis synonymis, locis, descriptionibus, &c. 2 p.701 (India) Distribution: Throughout India in wet habitats from about Jammu through Indo-Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains, E Rajasthan, Gujarat, C India, Odisha coast, NE Andhra, Coromandel coast, and western coastal strip. Sporadic or local in Deccan, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: ZSI, UMMZ, FMNH, YPM, TNHM, FTLB
366. Cinnamon BitternBotaurus cinnamomeus (Gmelin, 1789) [HB#56] Original Description:Ardeacinnamomea Gmelin, 1789 Systema Naturae. Editio decima tertia, aucta, reformata. Cura Jo. Frid. Gmelin (etc.). Tomus I. Pars II 1 pt2 p.643 Alternative Names: Chestnut Bittern Distribution: Throughout India south of the Himalayan foothills from Jammu and Punjab, Indo-Gangetic plains, Gujarat, W Bengal, and NE India; EC India, eastern and western coastal plains; locally in Rajasthan, W Madhya Pradesh and Deccan. Also, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, ROM, USNM, YPM, TNHM, LKO, FTLB, BNHM IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-I. Notes: Migration details not worked out.
367. Little BitternBotaurus minutus (Linnaeus, 1766) Alternative Names: Common Little Bittern IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II. CMS: Appendix II.
367a. Botaurus minutus minutus (Linnaeus, 1766) [HB#55] Original Description:Ardeaminuta Linnaeus, 1766 Systema Naturæ. Editio duodecima reformata. Tomus I [part 1] 12, p.240 Distribution: Breeding: Kashmir. Non-breeding: Possibly all passage migrants in NW India – mainly Delhi region (possibly a rare breeder as well), Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Stragglers further south. Specimens: BNHS, FMNH, ROM Notes: In Trivedi & Parasharya (2019, IB 15 (1): 17) suspected breeding Gujarat. See also (Dalal & Chauhan 2024, IB 20 (2): 51). Reports from NE India not considered definitive (RA2012).
368. Yellow BitternBotaurus sinensis (Gmelin, 1789) [HB#57] Original Description:ArdeaSinensis Gmelin, 1789 Systema Naturae. Editio decima tertia, aucta, reformata. Cura Jo. Frid. Gmelin (etc.). Tomus I. Pars II 1 pt2 p.642 Distribution: Throughout India south of the Himalayan foothills from Jammu and Punjab; sporadic in W Rajasthan and NC India, Assam plains, Meghalaya, Manipur valley, Mizoram, and Tripura. Also, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, NHMUK, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, USNM, TNHM IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II. Notes: Migration details not worked out.
Gorsachius Bonaparte, 1855 Conspectus generum avium 2 p.138 Nycticoraxgoisagi Temminck, 1836; Type by monotypy
369. Malayan Night HeronGorsachius melanolophus (Raffles, 1822) Alternative Names: Malay Bittern, Tiger Bittern IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II.
369a. Gorsachius melanolophus melanolophus (Raffles, 1822) [HB#53] Original Description:Ardeamelanolopha Raffles, 1822 Transactions of the Linnean Society of London (1), 13 p.326 Taxonomy: SW Ghats population brighter rufous (RA2012) – no subspecies assigned. Distribution: N Bengal, Assam, adjoining lowland Arunachal, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Cachar, Manipur, Tripura, and Mizoram – as well as Andaman Is. (breeding?). Disjunctly in W Ghats, south of SW Maharashtra till southern tip of the Ghats in Kanyakumari district. Sporadically elsewhere in E coast and C India during non-breeding months. Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK, TNHM Notes: Migration little understood but non-breeding population in Sri Lanka possibly from the W Ghats.
369b. Gorsachius melanolophus minor Hachisuka, 1926 [HB#54] Original Description:Gorsachiusmelanolophusminor Hachisuka, 1926 Ibis (12) 2 (3) p.592 (Katchal Is., C. Nicobar Is) Taxonomy: Not always recognised (see IOC, Avilist); whence the species treated as monotypic. Andaman birds, seen even during breeding season, might breed there and may represent another taxonomically valid unit. Distribution: C Nicobar Is. (Tillangchong, Teresa, Kamorta, and Katchal) and S Nicobar (Great Nicobar Is). Type Specimen: NHMUK#1892.4.2.353 (Holotype). Specimens: NHMUK
Oroanassa Peters, 1930 Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 39 (7) p. 276 Nycticoraxmagnificus Ogilvie-Grant
, 1899; Type by original designation
370. White-eared Night HeronOroanassa magnifica (Ogilvie-Grant, 1899) Original Description:Nycticoraxmagnificus Ogilvie-Grant, 1899 Ibis p.586 Distribution: Vagrant. Reported only from Valmiki Tiger Reserve (Bihar), Manas (Assam), and Namdapha (Arunachal). IUCN: Endangered. WLPA: Schedule-I. Notes: See Shafi et al. (2018, BA 29: 9).
Egretta Forster, 1817 A synoptical catalogue of British birds; intended to identify the species mentioned by different names in several catalogues already extant p.59 Ardeagarzetta Linnaeus, 1766; Type by monotypy
371. Chinese EgretEgretta eulophotes (Swinhoe, 1860) Original Description:Herodiaseulophotes Swinhoe, 1860 Ibis p.64 Distribution: Vagrant. Reported from S Andaman and Great Nicobar. IUCN: Vulnerable. WLPA: Schedule-II. CMS: Appendix I. Notes: See Sivaperuman et al. (2016, IB 25: 108).
372a. Egretta sacra sacra (Gmelin, 1789) [HB#51] Original Description:Ardeasacra Gmelin, 1789 Systema Naturae. Editio decima tertia, aucta, reformata. Cura Jo. Frid. Gmelin (etc.). Tomus I. Pars II 1 pt2 p.640 Distribution: Andaman & Nicobar Is including Narcondam Is. Specimens: MCZ, ROM
373. Western Reef-EgretEgretta gularis (Bosc, 1792) Original Description:Ardeagularis Bosc, 1792 Actes de la Société d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris 1, pt.1 p.4 pl.2 Alternative Names: Western Reef Heron, Indian Reef Heron IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: High. WLPA: Schedule-II.
373a. Egretta gularis schistacea (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828) [HB#50] Original Description:Ardea,Lepterodas,schistacea Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828 Symbolae physicae seu icones et descriptiones corporum naturalium novorum aut minus cognitorum quae ex itineribus per Libyam Aegyptum Nubiam Dongolam Syrian Arabiam et Habessianiam publico institutis (etc.) sig.i pl.6 Taxonomy: Includes Ardea asha Sykes 1832 from Dukhun [=Deccan]. Distribution: Breeding: Gujarat. Non-breeding: Entire Gujarat, W coast and adjoining coastal plains and E coast north till NE Andhra. Stragglers inland into northern and southern peninsula; particularly to SW Deccan. Specimens: BNHS, FMNH, YPM, TNHM, FTLB Notes: All breeding reports not validated. Some birds hang-around throughout the year in W coast.
374. Little EgretEgretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II.
374a. Egretta garzetta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) [HB#49] Original Description:ArdeaGarzetta Linnaeus, 1766 Systema Naturæ. Editio duodecima reformata. Tomus I [part 1] 12, p.237 Taxonomy: No evidence of nigripes (Temminck, 1840) from our region. Distribution: Throughout India from Gilgit, Ladakh, and Kashmir, further south and east in the peninsula, including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, TNHM, LKO, FTLB, BNHM Notes: Dark-morph birds rarely reported.
Nycticorax Forster, 1817 A synoptical catalogue of British birds; intended to identify the species mentioned by different names in several catalogues already extant p.59 Nycticoraxinfaustus Forster, 1817; Type by tautonymy = Ardeanycticorax Linnaeus, 1758
375. Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II.
375a. Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) [HB#52] Original Description:ArdeaNycticorax Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.142 Distribution: Throughout India – from trans-Himalaya of Ladakh, through Kashmir till NE India (not reported from Mizoram) and entire southern peninsula – reported from the islands of Lakshadweep, S Andaman, Narcondam, and Great Nicobar. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, ROM, YPM, TNHM
Butorides Blyth, 1852 Catalogue of the birds in the Museum Asiatic Society p.281 Ardeajavanica Horsfield, 1821; Type by monotypy
376. Little HeronButorides atricapilla (Afzelius, 1804) Original Description:Ardeaatricapilla Afzelius, 1804 Kongliga Vetenskaps Academiens Nya Handlingar 25, p.264 Taxonomy: Four species are recognized in the Butorides striata complex based on the genomic DNA evidence (Mendales 2023:DOI:10.46569/hd76s649j), regional birds are under this species. Alternative Names: Striated Heron, Little Green Heron, Green-backed Heron IUCN: Not Recognised. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-II.
376a. Butorides atricapilla spodiogaster Sharpe, 1894 [HB#39] Original Description:Butoridesspodiogaster Sharpe, 1894 Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 3 p.17 (Andaman and Nicobar Is) Taxonomy: Nicobar birds distinct but not separated here. Distribution: Andaman & Nicobar Is – all groups and islets including Narcondam Is. Type Specimen: NHMUK#1892.10.2.310 (Syntype). Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK, AMNH
376b. Butorides atricapilla javanica (Horsfield, 1821) [HB#38] Original Description:ArdeaJavanica Horsfield, 1821 Transactions of the Linnean Society of London (1), 13 p.190 Taxonomy: Lakshadweep birds, presumably, of this subspecies rather than from the Maldives. Distribution: Throughout India from Jammu south and east (though unreported from Nagaland and Cachar) in the country including Lakshadweep Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, TNHM, BNHM
Ardeola Boie, 1822 Isis 10,11 col.559 Ardearalloides Scopoli, 1769; Type by monotypy
377. Indian Pond-HeronArdeola grayii (Sykes, 1832) [HB#42] Original Description:ArdeaGrayii Sykes, 1832 Proceedings of the Committee of Science and Correspondence of the Zoological Society of London Part 2 no.23 p.158 (Deccan [=Dukhun]) Alternative Names: Paddybird Distribution: Throughout India including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Type Specimen: NHMUK#1880.1.1.1817 (Syntype). Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, NHMUK, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, USNM, YPM, TNHM, FTLB IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II. Notes: Status of Andaman & Nicobar Is. uncertain due to the presence of Chinese and Javan Pond Herons.
378. Chinese Pond-HeronArdeola bacchus (Bonaparte, 1855) [HB#43] Original Description:Buphusbacchus Bonaparte, 1855 Conspectus generum avium 2 p.127 Taxonomy: Holotype (MNHN-MO-1995-239) from Kolkata not accepted here as the type locality is Malay peninsula. Distribution: Assam plains and adjoining Arunachal, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Cachar, Manipur valley, Mizoram, Tripura as well as Andaman & Nicobar Is. Stragglers reported across the peninsula from NW (Rajasthan and Gujarat), N (Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh), E (W Bengal and Odisha), W (Maharashtra), and S (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) India. Specimens: BNHS, AMNH IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II. Notes: Historical reports of breeding from Assam and NE India not investigated.
379. Javan Pond-HeronArdeola speciosa (Horsfield, 1821) Original Description:Ardeaspeciosa Horsfield, 1821 Transactions of the Linnean Society of London (1), 13 p.189 IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II. Notes: See Gokulakrishnan et al. (2018, BA 30: 108), Shativel (2019, IB 15 (1): 10).
379a. Ardeola speciosa continentalis Salomonsen, 1933 Original Description:Ardeolaspeciosacontinentalis Salomonsen, 1933 Ornithologische Monatsberichte 41 p.41 Distribution: Vagrant. S and Middle Andaman, Narcondam, and Great Nicobar Is. Notes: Subspecies assumed on range.
Ardea Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.141 Ardeacinerea Linnaeus, 1758; Type by subsequent designation (Gray, 1840, A list of the genera of birds, with an indication of the typical species of each genus, p.66)
380. Great EgretArdea alba Linnaeus, 1758 Alternative Names: Large Egret, Great White Egret IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II.
380a. Ardea alba alba Linnaeus, 1758 Original Description:Ardeaalba Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.144 Distribution: Non-breeding: N and NW India. Specimens: NHMUK Notes: Included based on a specimen (#1893.10.2.260) at NHMUK from Oudh, Uttar Pradesh (see Praveen 2024, JBNHS 121 (2): 202). No other specimens specifically from India – 'NW' as mentioned in RA2012 may refer to Pakistan.
380b. Ardea alba modesta Gray, 1831 [HB#46] Original Description:Ardeamodesta Gray, 1831 The zoological miscellany 1 p.19 (India) Distribution: Throughout India from Ladakh and Kashmir, south and east in the peninsula (unreported in Sikkim) as well as Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, ROM, TNHM, GMC, LKO, FTLB
381. Intermediate EgretArdea intermedia Wagler, 1829 [HB#47-48] Original Description:Ardeaintermedia Wagler, 1829 Isis 22 col.659 Alternative Names: Median Egret, Medium Egret, Smaller Egret Distribution: Throughout India from Ladakh and Kashmir, S and E (unreported in Sikkim) including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMMZ, FMNH, TNHM, LKO IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II.
382. Eastern Cattle-EgretArdea coromanda (Boddaert, 1783) [HB#44] Original Description:CancromaCoromanda Boddaert, 1783 Table des planches enluminéez d'histoire naturelle de M. D'Aubenton p.54 (Coromandel) Taxonomy: Sometimes lumped (see Ahmed 2011, Dutch Birding 33: 303) with Western Cattle Egret B. ibis Linnaeus, 1758. Alternative Names: Cattle Egret (with A. ibis) Distribution: Throughout India including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Type Specimen: MNHN#MO-1995-233 (Holotype). Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, MNHN, UMMZ, AMNH, MCZ, YPM, TNHM, LKO, FTLB IUCN: Not Recognised. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II. Notes: Populations from SW India migrate further north and east for breeding.
383. White-bellied HeronArdea insignis Hume, 1878 [HB#33] Original Description:Ardeainsignis Hume, 1878 Stray Feathers 6 p.470 (Sikkim Terai, Bootan Doars, N Bengal) Taxonomy: Includes imperialis Baker 1928 from Sikkim terai, Bhutan duars. Distribution: Historically from N Bengal (and/or Sikkim) east till Arunachal, Upper Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram while now confined to sites in Namdapha, Kamlang, and Walong regions in E Arunachal. Type Specimen: NHMUK#1893.10.3.159 (Syntype). Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK, UMMZ, AMNH, YPM IUCN: Critically Endangered. SoIB: High. WLPA: Schedule-I.
384. Purple HeronArdea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766 Original Description:Ardeapurpurea Linnaeus, 1766 Systema Naturæ. Editio duodecima reformata. Tomus I [part 1] p.236 IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II.
384a. Ardea purpurea manilensis Meyen, 1834 [HB#37] Original Description:Ardeapurpureavar. manilensis Meyen, 1834 Nova Acta Physico-medica Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Naturae Curiosum 16 Suppl. p.102 Distribution: Throughout India from Jammu south and east including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, ROM, TNHM, LKO, FTLB, BNHM Notes: Extralimital migrants may be involved and some birds in NW may be from the range of the nominate subspecies.
385. Goliath HeronArdea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829 [HB#34] Original Description:Ardeagoliath Cretzschmar, 1829 Atlas zu der Reise im nördlichen Afrika von Eduard Rüppell. Erste Abtheilung. Zoologie. Vögel p.39 pl.26 Alternative Names: Giant Heron Distribution: Reported only from Sundarbans, where they are probably breeding. Specimens: BNHS IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II. Notes: Sight reports without sufficient notes have not been evaluated here.
386a. Ardea cinerea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 [HB#35-36] Original Description:Ardeacinerea Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.143 Taxonomy: Regional rectirostris Gould, 1843 included here. If recognised, the typotypical nominate subspecies only reported from Kachchh (Gujarat), Uttar Kannada (Karnataka), and Harike (Punjab) – last two being ring recoveries – though can occur more widely. leucophea Gould 1848 (Type locality = India) is also a synonym of rectirostris. Distribution: Throughout India from Gilgit and Ladakh till the southern tip as well as NE India. Also, occurs in Lakshadweep Is, Andaman & Nicobar Is. Specimens: BNHS, UMZC, UMMZ, FMNH, YPM, TNHM, FTLB Notes: Extralimital migrants augment regional population.
