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Difference between revisions of "Pinnated Bittern" - BirdForum Opus

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;Botaurus pinnatus
 
;Botaurus pinnatus
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[[Image:Pinnated_Bittern.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by arthurgrosset]]
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[[Image:Pinnated_Bittern.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by arthurgrosset]] <br/> Location:  Cassino, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.]]
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Location:  Cassino, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
  
 
Aka South American Bittern
 
Aka South American Bittern
  
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Like all bitterns, this bird is normally very difficult to see as it relies on its cryptic plumage and its ability to stand stock-still for long periods in order to avoid detection by predators or birders.
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63.5 and 76 cm (25-30 in) with a weight of roughly 800g (1.76 pounds). Females tend to be smaller than males.
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It is a large heron, measuring between 63.5 and 76 cm (25-30 in) with a weight of roughly 800g (1.76 pounds). Females tend to be smaller than males.
 
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Both adults and immatures are generally buffy, though heavily marked with cryptic patterning. Juveniles tend to have a somewhat more reddish ground color. The throat is unmarked white, the foreneck is white broadly streaked with pale brown, and the rest of the neck is buff with thin black barring. The breast and belly are white with broad pale brown streaks, while the back is buff, heavily streaked and barred with black. Rectrices are black in males and brown in females.
 
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The bill is stout and strong, yellowish overall with a dusky upper mandible. The bare facial skin is bright yellow, with a brown line running across the lores. The legs are greenish-yellow, and the iris is yellow.
 
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Slate gray remiges create a conspicuous two-toned effect in flight.
 
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Buffy white throat, foreneck white broadly streaked with pale brown, rest of the neck is buff with thin black barring. White breast and belly with broad pale brown streaks, buff back, heavily streaked and barred with black. Yellow bill. The bare facial skin is bright yellow, with a brown line running across the lores. The legs are greenish-yellow, and the iris is yellow.
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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Central and South America. In Central America recorded in Mexico from southern Tamaulipas to Tabasco, in Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Also in Belize and Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Widespread in South America from Colombia, Venezula, Trinidad and the Guianas south to Ecuador, in the west, over most of Brazil except the east and south to Uruguay and northern Argentina. Resident.
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Central and [[South America]].  
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==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler, who first described the South American Bittern in 1829, placed it in the genus Ardea. It is sometimes included in a superspecies with American Bittern, and these two species are sometimes further included in a superspecies with Eurasian Bittern. There are currently two recognized subspecies, which are separated by a gap in Central America.
 
German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler, who first described the South American Bittern in 1829, placed it in the genus Ardea. It is sometimes included in a superspecies with American Bittern, and these two species are sometimes further included in a superspecies with Eurasian Bittern. There are currently two recognized subspecies, which are separated by a gap in Central America.
  
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B. p. caribaeus is found in eastern Mexico, Belize and (rarely) Guatemala. It has a longer bill, and shorter wings and tail than the nominate race, as well as less streaking on the throat.
 
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B. p. pinnatus is found from southeastern Nicaragua to Ecuador and the Guianas, south through Brazil to Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.
 
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Nominate race occurs over most of range with longer-billed, paler and less streaked caribaeus in Mexico and Belize.
 
  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
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Densely vegetated swamps, sometimes feeding in paddyfields and cane plantations.
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Swamps, paddyfields and cane plantations.
  
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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Food consists of fish, frogs, snakes and insects.  It usually attempts to escape notice by freezing.
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Diet includes fish, frogs, snakes and insects.   
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The South American Bittern is largely nocturnal. Though generally solitary, it will gather in small loose groups at favored feeding areas. When frightened, it tends to freeze with its body crouched low and its head raised vertically just high enough to see. It typically flushes only at close range.
 
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Its diet is varied, consisting of fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and small mammals, all of which are typically taken in ambush. The South American Bittern is a patient hunter, often standing motionless for long periods while waiting for prey to move within range.
 
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Unlike many herons (but like other bitterns), the South American Bittern is a solitary breeder. Its nest, a platform or shallow cup of rush stems or other plant material, is typically built among thick vegetation not far above the water surface. The female lays two to three olive-brown eggs, and is thought to do all of the incubation. South American Bitterns are almost exclusively wet season breeders.
 
  
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If flushed, the South American Bittern gives a rough rawk-rawk-rawk call. During the breeding season, the male booms at dusk and into the night; his call is a deep poonk or poonkoo.
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Largely nocturnal.  
  
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It builds a platform or shallow cup nest of rush stems or other plant material, among thick vegetation not far above the water surface. 2-3 olive-brown eggs are laid and incubated by the female.
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?si=botaurus+pinnatus&x=0&y=0&perpage=24&sort=1&cat=all&ppuser=&friendemail=email%40yourfriend.com&password= View more images of Pinnated Bittern in the gallery]
 
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?si=botaurus+pinnatus&x=0&y=0&perpage=24&sort=1&cat=all&ppuser=&friendemail=email%40yourfriend.com&password= View more images of Pinnated Bittern in the gallery]
 
[[Category:Birds]]
 
[[Category:Birds]]

Revision as of 15:07, 1 October 2007

Botaurus pinnatus
Photo by arthurgrosset


Location: Cassino, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.]]

Identification

Aka South American Bittern

63.5 and 76 cm (25-30 in) with a weight of roughly 800g (1.76 pounds). Females tend to be smaller than males.

Buffy white throat, foreneck white broadly streaked with pale brown, rest of the neck is buff with thin black barring. White breast and belly with broad pale brown streaks, buff back, heavily streaked and barred with black. Yellow bill. The bare facial skin is bright yellow, with a brown line running across the lores. The legs are greenish-yellow, and the iris is yellow.

Distribution

Central and South America.

Taxonomy

German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler, who first described the South American Bittern in 1829, placed it in the genus Ardea. It is sometimes included in a superspecies with American Bittern, and these two species are sometimes further included in a superspecies with Eurasian Bittern. There are currently two recognized subspecies, which are separated by a gap in Central America.


Habitat

Swamps, paddyfields and cane plantations.

Behaviour

Diet includes fish, frogs, snakes and insects.

Largely nocturnal.

It builds a platform or shallow cup nest of rush stems or other plant material, among thick vegetation not far above the water surface. 2-3 olive-brown eggs are laid and incubated by the female.

External Links

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