Little Bittern

Botaurus minutus

The Little Bittern is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, native to the Old World, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Madagascar. Birds from temperate regions in Europe and western Asia are migratory, wintering in Africa and further south in Asia, while those nesting in the tropics are sedentary. It is rare north of its breeding range.
Little bittern chicks - Ixobrychus minutus https://www.jungledragon.com/image/62014/little_bittern_-_ixobrychus_minutus.html Animal,Animalia,Ardeidae,Aves,Bird,Bulgaria,Chordata,Europe,Geotagged,Ixobrychus minutus,Kisimovi dupki,Little Bittern,Little bittern,Nature,Pelecaniformes,Summer,Wetland,Wildlife

Appearance

It is a very small bittern; measuring 25–36 cm in length, 40–58 cm across the wings and weighing 59–150 g. It is among the smallest herons on earth. It has a short neck, longish bill and buff underparts. The male's back and crown are black, and the wings are black with a large white patch on each wing. The female has a browner back and a buff-brown wing patch.
Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus The Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, native to the Old World, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Madagascar. Birds from temperate regions in Europe and western Asia are migratory, wintering in Africa and further south in Asia, while those nesting in the tropics are sedentary. It is rare north of its breeding range. Geotagged,Italy,Ixobrychus minutus,Little Bittern,ardeidae,ciconiiformes,ixobrychus minutus,little bittern,pelecaniformes,tarabusino

Status

The Little Bittern is one of the species to which the "Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds" applies.
Little Bittern vs tadpole Took this photo at the upper-ford close to Sigri on the Island of Lesvos Greece Ixobrychus minutus,Little Bittern

Behavior

The Little Bittern's breeding habitat is reedbeds. It nests on platforms of reeds in shrubs, and 4-8 eggs are laid. It can be difficult to see, given its skulking lifestyle and reedbed habitat.

These bitterns feed on fish, insects and amphibians.

References:

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Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAves
OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyArdeidae
GenusBotaurus
SpeciesB. minutus
Photographed in
Bulgaria
Germany
Greece
Italy
Portugal
Romania
Uganda