Vertebrata Cuvier, 1812 - vertebrates
   Gnathostomata
     Teleostomi
       Tetrapoda Hatschek & Cori 1896 [Gauthier, Kluge & Rowe 1988]
         Amniota Haeckel, 1866 [Gauthier, Kluge & Rowe 1988] - amniotes
           Class Aves Linnaeus, 1758 - birds see Subclass Aves Linnaeus, 1758
             Subclass Neornithes Gadow, 1893 see Clade Neornithes Gadow, 1893
               Superorder Neognathae Pycraft, 1900 see Cohort Neognathae Pycraft, 1900
                 Order Gruiformes Bonaparte, 1854
                   Family Ardeidae Leach, 1820 - herons, bitterns and egrets