Terrible pic of flying bird (bittern?) Dhaka, Bangladesh (1 Viewer)

[Seth Miller]

I saw this bird flying through Dhaka, Bangladesh from my apartment. My first thought was little cormorant since I see those fly over relatively often, but then when I zoomed in with my camera I was sure it wasn't. Shape and flight style were both wrong. I noticed that it had slow wing beats, and relatively large wings compared to the body. Was only able to get one picture before it flew behind a neighboring building. My current tentative hypothesis is bittern, maybe cinnamon? I know this probably is not identifiable, but would appreciate any help.

 

[CARERY]

It is a fairly short-legged and slim heron. So I guess bittern isn't a bad call... but more specific than that?

 

[Paul Leader]

Black Bittern - bill is too long for one of the smaller bitterns:

http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=162520&Bird_ID=1092&Bird_Family_ID=&Location=

 

[Seth Miller]

There are three bittern species that are seen at a location a few kilometers from my house. Black which is quite hard to see in general, and cinnamon and yellow bitterns which are more common. I myself have only seen cinnamon there, but others have seen all of them. My bird book shows yellow as having an extensive light patch on the upper wing and cinnamon as uniform on the upper wing. I can't see the light patch on the wing in my picture, but then I'm not sure if my picture would show it with how poor quality it is.

 

[Seth Miller]

Hadn't seen your post Paul Leader. That's a good point, though I am a little loath to accept it as black bittern just by that since it would be a lifer...

 

[Seth Miller]

Well now an expert local birder suggested Striated Heron. The form of the bird fits that, and they are much more common actually in the city.

 

[johnallcock]

Striated Heron was my first impression as well.

 

[temmie]

no love for (Indian) Pond Heron? I wonder if that one can be ruled out?

 

[Seth Miller]

no love for (Indian) Pond Heron? I wonder if that one can be ruled out?

They usually have strikingly white wings. Which I should have noticed while I was watching it, and that should be visible in the picture.

 

[temmie]

I thought about an immature / non breeding, but those seem to have white wings as well. Maybe an immature Black-crowned night heron could be a possibility?