Neornithes Gadow, 1893 - living birds
   Neognathae Pycraft 1900 see Cohort Neognathae Pycraft, 1900
     Neoaves Sibley et al. 1988 see Subcohort Neoaves Sibley et al., 1988
       [Order] Ciconiiformes Bonaparte, 1854
         Family Ardeidae Leach, 1820 - herons, bitterns and egrets
           Subfamily Ardeinae Leach, 1820
             Genus Ardea Linnaeus, 1758
               Ardea herodias Linnaeus, 1758 - great blue heron
                 1 Ardea herodias fannini Chapman, 1901
                 2 Ardea herodias herodias Linnaeus, 1758 - great blue heron
                 3 Ardea herodias occidentalis Audubon, 1835 - great white heron
                 4 Ardea herodias cognata Bangs, 1903