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;[[:Category:Botaurus|Botaurus]] stellaris | ;[[:Category:Botaurus|Botaurus]] stellaris | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | Length 64-80 cm, wingspan 125-135 cm, weight 865-1940 g<br /> | |
| − | Tawny, mottled brown body with dark streaks, black crown. | + | A large bird of reed beds. Tawny, mottled brown body with dark streaks, black crown. Dagger-like bill. |
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | [[American Bittern]] is smaller; has no black crown, but instead a black patch on the side of the neck. | + | [[American Bittern]] is smaller; has no black crown, but instead a black patch on the side of the neck. In flight, superficially resembles a huge owl. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[Image:IMG 6506 1-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Mahsleb|Mahsleb}}<br />[[Minsmere]], [[Suffolk]], April 2011 ]] | [[Image:IMG 6506 1-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Mahsleb|Mahsleb}}<br />[[Minsmere]], [[Suffolk]], April 2011 ]] | ||
[[Eurasia]] and [[Africa]].<br /> | [[Eurasia]] and [[Africa]].<br /> | ||
| − | '''Europe''': breeds at very scattered localities from the Mediterranean north to central [[Sweden]], southernmost [[Finland]], just north of St. Petersburg in [[Russia]], and to a line going east-southeast from there to | + | '''Europe''': breeds at very scattered localities from the Mediterranean north to central [[Sweden]], southernmost [[Finland]], just north of St. Petersburg in [[Russia]], and to a line going east-southeast from there to Asia. Resident locally in [[England]], parts of [[France]], [[Iberia]] and northern [[Italy]] as well as in the [[Balkans]] and [[Turkey]]. Summer migrant to areas north and east of there, with partial residency in for example [[Denmark]]. In many borderline areas may migrate if inclement weather hits, but populations also diminish after colder than normal winters. Scarce winter visitor in [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]]. Vagrants recorded [[Iceland]], [[Faroes]] and [[Norway]], [[Cyprus]], and on the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]]. |
| − | Resident in | ||
| − | |||
| − | Vagrants recorded [[Iceland]], [[Faroes]] and [[Norway]], [[Cyprus]], and on the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]]. | ||
'''Middle East''': May breed in [[Israel]], probably breeds in [[Iraq]], and vagrants recorded in [[Syria]] and [[Jordan]]. | '''Middle East''': May breed in [[Israel]], probably breeds in [[Iraq]], and vagrants recorded in [[Syria]] and [[Jordan]]. | ||
| − | '''Asia''': More widespread to the east occurring across much of temperate Asia from the Caspian to the Pacific coast breeding in the [[Russia | + | '''Asia''': More widespread to the east, occurring across much of temperate Asia from the Caspian to the Pacific coast breeding in the [[Russia]]n Far East and Sakhalin, perhaps also Hokkaido ([[Japan]]). A widespread winter visitor in southern [[China]], northern [[India]], and the northern [[Philippines]]. Single records from southern [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] and some countries in south-east Asia. |
'''Africa north of the Sahara''': Resident and winter visitor in the Nile delta and in one to two locations west of that along the Mediterranean coast. | '''Africa north of the Sahara''': Resident and winter visitor in the Nile delta and in one to two locations west of that along the Mediterranean coast. | ||
| − | '''Africa south of the Sahara''': subspecies ''capensis'' is resident discontinuously from southern [[Tanzania]] and [[Zambia]] south to the southern Africa where rare. This race is probably resident with local movements; these may be governed by rains but is also described as poorly understood. Nominate | + | '''Africa south of the Sahara''': The subspecies ''B. s. capensis'' is resident discontinuously from southern [[Tanzania]] and [[Zambia]] south to the southern Africa where rare. This race is probably resident with local movements; these may be governed by rains but is also described as poorly understood. Nominate ''B. s. stellaris'' occurs as a winter visitor along the Nile to [[Kenya]] and west from there to [[Nigeria]]. |
| + | |||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
[[Image:Bittern-web1.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Duke+Leto|Duke Leto}}<br />RSPB [[Strumpshaw Fen]], [[Norfolk]], November 2012]] | [[Image:Bittern-web1.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Duke+Leto|Duke Leto}}<br />RSPB [[Strumpshaw Fen]], [[Norfolk]], November 2012]] | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| − | There are | + | There are two subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: |
*''B. s. stellaris'': | *''B. s. stellaris'': | ||
| − | :*[[Palearctic]] and northern Afrotropical region | + | :*[[Palearctic]] and northern Afrotropical region |
*''B. s. capensis'': | *''B. s. capensis'': | ||
| − | :*Southern [[Africa]] | + | :*Southern and eastern [[Africa]] |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Densely vegetated swamps with small areas of open water but prefers extensive reedbeds. Sometimes in smaller reed-patches or other vegetation but rarely seen in the open. | Densely vegetated swamps with small areas of open water but prefers extensive reedbeds. Sometimes in smaller reed-patches or other vegetation but rarely seen in the open. | ||
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On passage and in winter may become more obvious and occurs in a wider range of wet habitats, sometimes around disused gravel-pits and reservoirs. | On passage and in winter may become more obvious and occurs in a wider range of wet habitats, sometimes around disused gravel-pits and reservoirs. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | The bird is secretive and very difficult to spot if it does not break cover. It is superbly camouflaged for its reed bed habitat and uses this to stalk its prey. | + | The bird is secretive and very difficult to spot if it does not break cover. It is superbly camouflaged for its reed bed habitat and uses this to stalk its prey. When threatened, often stretches up in a slender pose to maximise camouflage among erect reed stems. |
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
It feeds in a similar manner to the Grey Heron, stabbing and snapping with its sharp beak and can remain hunched and utterly motionless for hours at a time. | It feeds in a similar manner to the Grey Heron, stabbing and snapping with its sharp beak and can remain hunched and utterly motionless for hours at a time. | ||
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Bitterns do fly from reed bed to reed bed and this is a good time to spot them. Their flight is low and rapid with relatively slow, powerful, purposeful wingbeats. | Bitterns do fly from reed bed to reed bed and this is a good time to spot them. Their flight is low and rapid with relatively slow, powerful, purposeful wingbeats. | ||
===Vocalisation=== | ===Vocalisation=== | ||
| − | Male Bitterns make a booming call to announce territory and display to potential mates. | + | Male Bitterns make a booming call to announce territory and display to potential mates. Both sexes make a guttural croak in flight infrequently. |
<flashmp3>Botaurus stellaris (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Botaurus stellaris (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
''[[Media:Botaurus stellaris (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Botaurus stellaris (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
| + | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}# Beaman, M., S. Madge, K.M. Olsen. 1998. Fuglene i Europa, Nordafrika og Mellemøsten. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gads Forlag, ISBN 87-12-02276-4 | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}# Beaman, M., S. Madge, K.M. Olsen. 1998. Fuglene i Europa, Nordafrika og Mellemøsten. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gads Forlag, ISBN 87-12-02276-4 | ||
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#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition ISBN 0 00 219900 9 | #Collins Field Guide 5th Edition ISBN 0 00 219900 9 | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Botaurus+stellaris}} | {{GSearch|Botaurus+stellaris}} | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
{{Video|Eurasian_Bittern}}<br /> | {{Video|Eurasian_Bittern}}<br /> | ||
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Botaurus]] [[Category:Bird Songs]][[Category:Videos]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Botaurus]] [[Category:Bird Songs]][[Category:Videos]] | ||
Revision as of 22:18, 11 May 2017
Alternative names: Great Bittern
- Botaurus stellaris
Identification
Length 64-80 cm, wingspan 125-135 cm, weight 865-1940 g
A large bird of reed beds. Tawny, mottled brown body with dark streaks, black crown. Dagger-like bill.
Similar Species
American Bittern is smaller; has no black crown, but instead a black patch on the side of the neck. In flight, superficially resembles a huge owl.
Distribution
Eurasia and Africa.
Europe: breeds at very scattered localities from the Mediterranean north to central Sweden, southernmost Finland, just north of St. Petersburg in Russia, and to a line going east-southeast from there to Asia. Resident locally in England, parts of France, Iberia and northern Italy as well as in the Balkans and Turkey. Summer migrant to areas north and east of there, with partial residency in for example Denmark. In many borderline areas may migrate if inclement weather hits, but populations also diminish after colder than normal winters. Scarce winter visitor in Scotland and Ireland. Vagrants recorded Iceland, Faroes and Norway, Cyprus, and on the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands.
Middle East: May breed in Israel, probably breeds in Iraq, and vagrants recorded in Syria and Jordan.
Asia: More widespread to the east, occurring across much of temperate Asia from the Caspian to the Pacific coast breeding in the Russian Far East and Sakhalin, perhaps also Hokkaido (Japan). A widespread winter visitor in southern China, northern India, and the northern Philippines. Single records from southern India, Sri Lanka and some countries in south-east Asia.
Africa north of the Sahara: Resident and winter visitor in the Nile delta and in one to two locations west of that along the Mediterranean coast.
Africa south of the Sahara: The subspecies B. s. capensis is resident discontinuously from southern Tanzania and Zambia south to the southern Africa where rare. This race is probably resident with local movements; these may be governed by rains but is also described as poorly understood. Nominate B. s. stellaris occurs as a winter visitor along the Nile to Kenya and west from there to Nigeria.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are two subspecies[1]:
- B. s. stellaris:
- Palearctic and northern Afrotropical region
- B. s. capensis:
- Southern and eastern Africa
Habitat
Densely vegetated swamps with small areas of open water but prefers extensive reedbeds. Sometimes in smaller reed-patches or other vegetation but rarely seen in the open.
On passage and in winter may become more obvious and occurs in a wider range of wet habitats, sometimes around disused gravel-pits and reservoirs.
Behaviour
The bird is secretive and very difficult to spot if it does not break cover. It is superbly camouflaged for its reed bed habitat and uses this to stalk its prey. When threatened, often stretches up in a slender pose to maximise camouflage among erect reed stems.
Diet
It feeds in a similar manner to the Grey Heron, stabbing and snapping with its sharp beak and can remain hunched and utterly motionless for hours at a time.
Movement
When moving it is generally in a slow, creeping stalk that is difficult to pick out though it does sometimes dart rapidly forwards.
Bitterns do fly from reed bed to reed bed and this is a good time to spot them. Their flight is low and rapid with relatively slow, powerful, purposeful wingbeats.
Vocalisation
Male Bitterns make a booming call to announce territory and display to potential mates. Both sexes make a guttural croak in flight infrequently.
<flashmp3>Botaurus stellaris (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Beaman, M., S. Madge, K.M. Olsen. 1998. Fuglene i Europa, Nordafrika og Mellemøsten. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gads Forlag, ISBN 87-12-02276-4
- Sinclair et al. 2002. Birds of Southern Africa. Princeton Field Guides, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. ISBN 0-691-09682-1
- Svensson, Mullarney, Zetterström 2009. Birds of Europe, second edition. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford. ISBN 978-0-691-14392-7
- Grimmett, Inskipp & Inskipp 2012. Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and The Maldives. Princeton Field Guides. ISBN 978-0-691-15349-0
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition ISBN 0 00 219900 9
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Bittern. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Bittern
External Links
