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
           1 Subfamily Tigrisomatinae Payne & Risley, 1976 see Tribe Tigriornithini Bock, 1956
           2 Subfamily Cochleariinae Chenu & Des Murs, 1854 [monotypic] see Family Cochleariidae Ridgway, 1887
           3 Subfamily Botaurinae Bock, 1956
           4 Subfamily Ardeinae Leach, 1820