Chances are good that the bird was a heron. There are about 60 species of herons distributed over most of the world, except in the extreme northern and southern regions.
Herons are most common in the tropics.
Herons, bitterns and egrets are closely related, belonging to the family Ardeidae of the order Ciconiiformes . Other close avian relatives include storks, ibises, spoonbills and flamingos. Herons are wading birds with long, slender legs, long necks and long, heavy bills tapering to a sharp point. Their wings are broad and rounded, their tails short. Most herons, especially the larger ones, are graceful in form and movement.