Herons · Pelicans and herons
Little Bittern
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Botaurus minutus
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How to recognize it
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33–38 cm, like a small heron
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Slim body, very long legs and bill
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Male: black crown, back and wings; creamy-white head and neck
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Female browner and streaked above; underparts buff
About the species
The little bittern keeps to cover and often moves like a careful shadow through reedbeds. It is small for a heron, with a long bill and neck, and the male and female look different, so its shape and quiet habits are often more noticeable than any single marking.
It is mostly active at dusk and night, and it usually stays alone. When the male stakes out territory in spring, it gives a deep barking or croaking call. It stalks slowly through the reeds and edges of shallow water, and it does not fly far unless it has to.
Look for it in dense marshes, standing water with thick plants, and tangled wet margins. It feeds on small fish, frogs, tadpoles, insects, and other aquatic prey, and European populations move south for winter while tropical ones stay put.
Where to find
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Along reedy pond edges and canal banks — at dusk it gives itself away with a deep croaking call from the reeds.
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At still-water margins in old marshy corners and sheltered backwaters — creeping slowly between stems and freezing into a reed-like pose.
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In quiet inlets with bushes overhanging the water — most often noticed at dawn as a low, short flight just above the reed tops.
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On secluded stream channels and small lakes — easier to hear than see, especially on warm May evenings.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Botaurus minutus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Little bittern Encyclopedia article