Class Aves Linnaeus, 1758 - birds see Subclass Aves Linnaeus, 1758
   Subclass Neornithes Gadow, 1893 see Clade Neornithes Gadow, 1893
     Infraclass Neoaves Sibley et al., 1988 see Subcohort Neoaves Sibley et al., 1988
       Parvclass Passerae see Superorder Passerimorphae Sibley et al., 1988
         Superorder Passerimorphae Sibley et al., 1988
           Order Ciconiiformes Bonaparte, 1854
             Suborder Ciconii see Suborder Ciconiae Bonaparte, 1854
               Infraorder Ciconiides see Suborder Ciconiae Bonaparte, 1854
                 Parvorder Ciconiida see Suborder Ciconiae Bonaparte, 1854
                   Superfamily Ardeoidea Vigors, 1825 see Order Ardeiformes Wagler, 1830
                     Family Ardeidae Leach, 1820 - herons, bitterns and egrets
                       Genus Ardea Linnaeus, 1758
                         Ardea herodias Linnaeus, 1758 - great blue heron
                           Ardea herodias occidentalis Audubon, 1835 - great white heron