Phylum Chordata Bateson, 1885 - chordates Subphylum Vertebrata Cuvier, 1812 - vertebrates Class Aves Linnaeus, 1758 - birds see Subclass Aves Linnaeus, 1758 Order Ciconiiformes Bonaparte, 1854 Family Ardeidae Leach, 1820 - herons, bitterns and egrets