The IUCN-SCC Heron Specialist Group

Conservation Status of Heron Populations

HeronConservation assesses the conservation status of herons on a population basis. It differs from the IUCN assessment, which is on the species level. As a result of this scale difference, the results for populations of some species may not be identical to the results at a species level. To the extent possible, HeronConservation uses the criteria of the IUCN Red List as its guide, down scaled to the population level. You can find the species scale criteria at the IUCN Website. Assessments are only a good as the data underlying them, and for some populations that information base is slim to nonexistent. As a result many assessments are approximations based on the best professional judgment of those who know the populations best. You are welcome to contribute to increasing the accuracy of these assessments by providing data and analyses, preferably with reference to the IUCN evaluative criteria. Please communicate with a HeronConservation Co-chair or Steering Committee Member. HeronConservation will use such contributions in the next assessment process.

The 2007 Conservation Status of Heron Populations is given below. It reflects the results of collaboration among the Heron Specialist Group, Wetlands International/Ramsar Bureau, and BirdLife International/ IUCN. The categories in the Conservation Status of Heron Populations are the same as the IUCN list. Like all species, herons may be classified the following categories, LC = Least Concern, NT = Near Threatened, VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, CR = Critically Endangered, EW = Extinct in the Wild, and EX = Extinct. More information on the meaning of these categories may be found on the IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria document. Taxonomy and English names for species are consistent with Kushlan and Hancock (2005) and Delany and Scott (2006) (although not BirdLife (2004)). The order of listing of populations, population estimates, and 1% conservation threshold values are consistent with Delany and Scott (2006). The following references should be consulted for background and references to the taxonomic decisions and conservation assessments shown in this table.

References
BirdLife International. 2004. Threatened Birds of the World 2004. BirdLife International.
Delaney, S. and D. Scott. 2006. Waterbird Population Estimates. Fourth Edition. Wetlands International. Wetlands International, Wageningen, Netherlands.
IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Speceis.
Kushlan, J. A. and J. A. Hancock. 2005. The Herons. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Kushlan, J. A. and H. Hafner. 2000. Heron Conservation. Academic Press, London and San Diego.

Ardea
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
A. c. cinerea
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 10,000
W Europe, NW Africa LC 2,700 290,000-340,000
C & E Europe LC 2,200 189,000-256,000
C, SW Asia LC
S Asia LC 1,000 100,000
A. c. jouyi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Asia LC 10,000
Sumatra VU 15 1,000-2,000
A. c. monicae
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Mauritania VU 100 7,500-12,500
A. c. firasa
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar, Seychelles EN 50 5,000
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
A. h. herodias
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
N, Central America LC 124,500
W North America LC (in above)
N Mexico LC (in above)
Baja Mexico LC
A. h. fannini
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Alaska, W Canada LC 65 6,500
A. h. wardi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
North America LC
A. h. occidentalis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Florida, Caribbean VU 1,500
Caribbean VU
Central America VU
A. h. cognata
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Galapagos LC
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
South America LC 10,000
White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Australia, Oceania LC 1,000
Great Egret Ardea alba
A. a. alba
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Europe VU 470 38,000-54,000
SW Asia LC 1,000
A. a. melanorhynchos
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Tropical Africa LC 3,000 100,000-500,000
A. a. egretta
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
North America LC 2,700 270,000
Mexico LC
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
South America LC
Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Asia (nb) LC 1,000
E Asia (nb) LC 1,000
Indonesia LC
Australia LC 1,000
New Zealand VU 1 100
Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
A. i. intermedia
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Asia LC 1,000
E, SE Asia, C Japan, Indonesia LC 1,000
Indonesia LC
A. i. brachyrhyncha
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 1,000
A. i. plumifera
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia LC 10,000
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Africa LC 3,000 100,000-500,000
Malagasy Heron Ardea humbloti
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar EN 20 1,000-3,000
White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SE Asia CE 6 250-1,000
Sumatran Heron Ardea sumatrana
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SE Asia LC 1,000
Australia VU 75 7,500
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 1,000
SW Asia EN 1 50
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
A. p. purpurea
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Tropical Africa LC 880 75,000-100,000
SW, NW Europe, NW Africa LC 120 11,500-12,100
C, E Europe, Mediterranean LC 2,200 13,500-300,000
SW Asia (br) LC 250
A. p. madagascariensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar VU 75 5,000-10,000
A. p. bournei
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Cape Verde Island EN 1 <50
A. p. manilensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Asia LC 250 25,000
SE, E Asia LC 1,000
Cattle Egret Ardea ibis
A. i. ibis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Africa LC 10,000
Tropical Africa LC
NW Africa LC 1,300 100,000-150,000
SW Europe LC 2,800 250,000-310,000
E Mediterranean, SW LC 1,000
Asia LC
North America (USA, Canada) LC 750,000-1,500,000
Mexico LC
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
South America LC
A. i. seychellarum
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Seychelles LC 100
A. i. coromandus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Asia LC
E, Se Asia LC 10,000
Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea LC 10,000 100,000
Butorides
Green Heron Butorides virescens
B. v. virescens
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C, E North America LC
Mexico LC
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
Bermuda VU 1 30
B. v. bahamensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Bahamas LC
B. v. anthonyi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W North America, N Baja California LC
B. v. frazari
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Baja California LC
Striated Heron Butorides striata
B. s. striata
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Central America (Panama), N South America LC
C South America LC
Bolivia LC
B. s. sundevalli
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Galapagos LC
B. s. brevipes
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Africa, SW Asia LC 250
B. s. atricapilla
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 10,000
B. s. rutenbergi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar LC 250
B. s. rhizophorae
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Comoro Islands LC 100
B. s. crawfordi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Aldabra, Amirante LC 50 5,000
B. s. degens
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Seychelles LC 100
B. s. albolimbata
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Chagos Islands, Maldives, Diego Garcia VU 100
B. s. chloriceps
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
India LC 250 25,000
B. s. spodiogaster
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Sumatra, Andaman, Nicobar LC
B. s. amurensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
NE China, SE Russia, Korea, Japan, Ryukyu, Bonin, Taiwan, S China LC
B. s. actophila
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S China, N Indonesia, N Myanmar LC
B. s. javanica
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Indonesia, Indian Ocean, Myanmar, Thailand LC 1,000
B. s. moluccara
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Moluccas LC
NW New Guinea, Aru LC
B. s. solomonensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
New Ireland, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, W Fiji LC 250
B. s. idenburgi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Papua LC
B. s. flyensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S New Guinea LC
B. s. stagnatilis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
N Australia LC
NW Australia LC
NE Western Australia LC
B. s. patruelis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Tahiti, Society LC 2 100-200
B. s. macrorhyncha
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Australia LC
SC New Guinea, NE Queensland LC
B. s. carcinophila
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Taiwan, Philippines, Sulawesi LC
B. s. steini
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Lesser Sundras, Indonesia LC
Ardeola
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
A. r. ralloides
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SW Europe, NW Africa LC 40 2,700-5,600
C, E Europe, E Mediterranean LC 600 24,000-76,000
SW Asia LC 1,000
A. r. paludivaga
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa, Madagascar LC 4,500 300,000-600,000
Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SW Asia S Asia LC 10,000
Myanmar, Andaman, Nicobar LC
Maldives VU
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E, SE, S Asia LC
Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa
A. s. speciosa
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W C Indonesia, S Philippines LC
A. s. continentalis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C Thailand, S Indochina LC 1,000
Malagasy Pond Heron Ardeola idae
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar, Aldabra, E Africa EN 40 2,000-6,000
Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E & S Africa LC 1,000
Egretta
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
E. r. rufescens
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S USA VU 250 9,000-15,000
Mexico VU 15 1,500
Central America VU 100
Caribbean VU 100
N South America VU 275 ≤>2,250-3,000
E. r. dickeyi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
San Luis Island, W Mexico VU
Pied Heron Egretta picata
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Oceania LC 1,000
Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C Africa VU 40 3,000-5,000
Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 1,000
Madagascar NT
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
E. t. tricolor
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
N South America LC ≤>180,000
E. t. ruficollis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
USA LC 293,000
Mexico LC >1,500
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
E. n. novaehollandiae
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, E Indonesia LC >5,000
E. n. parryi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
NW Australia LC
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
North America LC 2,600 225,000-300,000
Mexico LC 1,100 75,000-150,000
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
South America LC >150,000-285,000
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
E. t. thula
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Central and North America LC 2,100 215,000
Mexico LC 1,100 75,000-150,000
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
South America LC >390,000-1,170,000
E. t. brewsteri
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W North America, Baja California LC 10,000
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
E. g. garzetta
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 3,500 200,000-500,000
W Europe, NW Africa LC 1,300 200,000-500,000
C, E Europe LC 580 44,000-72,400
Barbados VU 1 30-60
W Asia LC 1,000
S Asia LC 1,500 100,000-200,000
E SE Asia LC 10,000
E. g. nigripes
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Java, New Guinea LC
E. g. immaculata
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Australia, New Zealand LC 1,000
E. g. gularis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Africa LC 1,000
E. g. schistacea
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
NE Africa, Red Sea LC 1,000
SW Asia LC 170 17,000
E. g. dimorpha
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar LC 130 6,000-20,000
Aldabra, Amirante LC 60 3,000-9,000
E Africa LC 100 10,000
Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Asia VU 30 2,600-3,400
Eastern Reef Heron Egretta sacra
E. s. sacra
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SE Asia, Andaman, Nicobar, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines LC 10,000
E. s. albolineata
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
New Caledonia, Loyalty LC 15 1,000-2,000
Syrigma
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
S. s. sibilatrix
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
South America LC >750-1,500
S. s. fostersmithi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
South America LC >5,000-25,000
Pilherodius
Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
South America LC
Nyctinassa
Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctinassa violacea
N. v. violacea
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
North America LC 1,100 75,000-150,000
Mexico, Central America LC
Socorro, W Mexico LC
N. v. calignis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Panama, W South America LC 450 >40,500-48,000
N. v. cayennensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Colombia, NE, E Brazil LC
N. v. bancrofti
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Mexico to El Salvador, West Indies LC
N. v. pauper
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Galapagos LC
Nycticorax
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
N. n. nycticorax
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Europe, NW Africa LC 790 61,000-97,000
C, E Europe, E Mediterranean LC 1,200 92,100-138,000
C Asia LC 1,000
SubSahara Africa, Madagascar LC
S Asia LC 12,500 100,000-150,000
E, SE Asia LC 10,000
North America LC 11,000 750,090-150,000
Mexico LC
Central America LC
Caribbean LC
South America LC >150,000-750,000
N. n. obscurus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S South America LC
N. n. falklandicus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Falklands-Malvinas LC 80 5,700-10,800
Reunion Night Heron Nycticorax duboisi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Reunion EX
Mauritius Night Heron Nycticorax mauritianus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Mauritius EX
Rodrigues Night Heron Nycticorax megacephalus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Rodrigues EX
Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus
N. c. caledonicus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
New Caledonia LC 30 2,000-4,000
N. c. manillensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Philippines, NE Borneo, Sulawesi LC
N. c. pelewensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Palau, Carolines LC 100
N. c. mandibularis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Bismarck, Solomons LC 1,000
N. c. hilli
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Java, Australia, New Guinea LC 10,000
White-backed Night Heron Nycticorax leuconotus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Africa LC 1,000
Gorsachius
White-eared Night Heron Gorsachius magnificus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
China EN 6 250-1,000
Vietnam EN 1
Japanese Night Heron Gorsachius goisagi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Japan; nb: Ryukyu, SE China, Philippines EN 6 250-1,000
Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus
G. m. melanolophus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SW India LC
Indochina, SW China LC
Philippines LC
Palauan, Philippines LC 100
Nicobar LC 100
Botaurus
South American Bittern Botaurus pinnatus
B. p. pinneatus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Central America, N South America LC
B. p. caribaeus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Mexico, Belize LC
North American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
North America LC 20,000 2,980,000
European Bittern Botaurus stellaris
B. s. stellaris
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Europe, NW Africa LC 900 5,850-6,700
C E Europe, E Mediterranean LC
W C Asia ( nb) LC 1,000
C Asia (nb) LC
S, E Asia LC LC 1,000
Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus
B. s. capensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Africa EN 50 5,000
Australia VU 2,500-10,000
Tasmania VU
New Zealand EN 580-725
New Caledonia, Loyalty EN >50
Ixobrychus
Streaked Bittern Ixobrychus involucris
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
N South America LC 10,000
S South America LC
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis
I. e. exilis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
N, Central America, Caribbean LC 1,300 128,000
I. e. pullus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Sonora, NW Mexico LC
I. e. bogotensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Colombia LC 5 150-750
I. e. erythromelas
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
N South America to Paraguay LC
I. e. peruvianus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C W Peru LC
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
I. m. minutus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Europe, NW Africa VU 150 11,900-17,900
C, E Europe, NE Africa LC 2,200 110,000-325,000
W, SW Asia LC 1,000
S Asia LC 250
I. m. payesii
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 1,000
I. m. podiceps
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Madagascar VU 90 3,000-15,000
I. m. dubius
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SW, E Australia, New Guinea LC 75 >7,500
I. m. novaezelandiae
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Australasia EX
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Seychelles LC 3 <300
S Asia LC
E, SE Asia LC 10,000
Schrenck’s Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E, SE Asia LC 250
Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Asia LC
SE Asia, Taiwan, S Japan LC 1,000
Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SubSahara Africa LC 1,000
Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis
I. f. flavicollis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Asia LC 1,000
E, SE Asia LC 1,000
I. f. australis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Australia, New Guinea, Bismarck VU 200 >20,000
Timor LC
Runnell LC 5 <500
Solomon LC 100
I. f. woodfordi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
New Britain, New Ireland LC 100
Zibrillus
Zigzag Heron Zibrillus undulatus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
South America LC
Tigrisoma
Bare-throated Tiger Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum
T. m. mexicanum
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C & N South America LC 100 10,000
Sonora, S Mexico LC
Fasciated Tiger Heron Tigrisoma fasciatum
T. f. fasciatum
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
SE Brazil, NE Argentina LC 100
T. f. salmoni
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C America, NW, W South America LC
T. f. pallescens
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
NW Argentina LC
Rufescent Tiger Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
T. l. lineatum
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Mexico, W Ecuador, N Bolivia, E Brazil LC
T. l. marmoratum
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
C Bolivia, E Brazil, NE Argentina LC
Zonerodius
New Guinea Tiger Heron Zonerodius heliosylus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
New Guinea, New Britain NT 100
Tigriornis
White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolophus
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Africa LC 1,000
Agamia
Agami Heron Agamia agami
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Central, South America LC
Cochlearius
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius
C. c. cochlearius
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Panama, Guyana, Amazonia, NE Argentina LC
C. c. zeledoni
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
W Central Mexico LC
C. c. phillipsi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
E Mexico, Belize LC
C. c. ridgwayi
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
S Mexico, W Honduras, El Salvador LC
C. c. panamensis
Range Status 1% threshold Population size
Costa Rica, Panama LC