Family

Ardeidae

8 species in 5 genera. Maximum lifespan ranges from 3.2 years (Yellow Bittern) to 37.5 years (Grey heron).

Species

8

with a complete mtDNA

Lifespan range

3.2–37.5 yr

Longest: Grey heron

Median GC

44.6%

Range 42.6–45.4%

Genera

5

Largest: Ardea (2)

The Ardeidae tree

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Outer ring: Maximum lifespan, log scale

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Genera of Ardeidae

5 genera, by species count

Where Ardeidae sit among 2,335 species

Whole-genome GC content against maximum lifespan. Hover or tap a point; select it again to open the species.

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Ardeidae (8)
Other species

Longest-lived

Top 5 and the shortest-lived

Grey heronArdea cinerea37.5 yr
Purple heronArdea purpurea25.4 yr
Cattle egretBubulcus ibis23 yr
Little egretEgretta garzetta22.3 yr
Black-crowned night heronNycticorax nycticorax21.1 yr
Yellow BitternBotaurus sinensis3.2 yr

Species in Ardeidae

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Species in Ardeidae

Ardea cinerea	Grey heron	37.5 yr	18,703 bp	45.21%
Ardea purpurea	Purple heron	25.4 yr	18,722 bp	45.11%
Bubulcus ibis	Cattle egret	23 yr	18,959 bp	43.96%
Egretta garzetta	Little egret	22.3 yr	17,361 bp	45.27%
Nycticorax nycticorax	Black-crowned night heron	21.1 yr	17,829 bp	44.10%
Egretta sacra	Pacific reef heron	15 yr	19,656 bp	45.42%
Botaurus stellaris	Eurasian bittern, or Bittern	11.3 yr	20,350 bp	42.61%
Botaurus sinensis	Yellow Bittern	3.2 yr	19,493 bp	43.24%