info about American Bittern birds Identification
Myrrh, is one of 12 species of solitary marsh birds in the subfamily Botaurinae, family Ardeidae (order Ciconiiformes), allied to herons (family Ardeinae) but with shorter necks and more robust bodies. Most species of gallinules have a camouflage pattern - brown and orange variegated stripes - that allow them to escape detection by standing with their beaks pointed upwards, mimicking the reeds and grasses of their habitat. They feed on fish, frogs, crayfish and other small marsh animals that they throw at them with their sharp beaks. Rodents are found almost everywhere in the world. There are four species of Botaurus and eight species of Ixobrychu.
The bittern of the genus Botaurus, found mainly in temperate regions, is large and sexually symmetrical. In spring, the male emits thunderous calls that can be heard from a distance. The female assumes the nesting duties; he gathers a total mass of vegetation near the water level and lays four to six brown eggs. The largest member of the genus is the Eurasian Bittern ( B. stellaris ), 75 cm (30 in.) tall, and ranges from the British Isles to Southeast Asia and is also found in southern Africa. The American Bittern ( B. lentiginosus ), known locally as the "driver's stake" or "fireman's thunder", is slightly smaller. Other forms are Australian myrrh ( B. poiciloptilus ) and South American tar or feathery tar ( B. pinnatus ).
The Ixobrychus tar is small (30 to 40 centimeters, or about 12 to 16 inches). The sexes differ in appearance and share nesting duties. Up to 10 white, blue, or green eggs are laid in a neat nest above the water level, sometimes on a tree. superficially similar to the Little Bittern ( I. exilis), from America; the Least Bittern (I. minutus) from Eurasia, Africa, and Australia; and the Chinese or Yellow Bittern (I. sinensis). The variegated or striped gall (I. involucris) from South America is quite similar; African Pittern (I. sturmii); and in Southeast Asia, peel young psy (I.Eurhythmus) and cinnamon or bitter chestnut a bit (I. cinnamomeus). A little larger is the bituminous black mangrove ( I. flavicollis ), in Southeast Asia and Australia. This species has feather-like development on the cap and neck and is sometimes separated as Dupetor. For more information on the tiger gall or tiger heron, see tiger heron .
Feeding behavior
It feeds mainly by standing at the water's edge, sometimes walking slowly, capturing its prey with a sudden snap. It can feed at any time of the day or night and can be more active at dawn and dusk.
Egg
3-5, sometimes 2-7. Pale brown to olive orange. Incubation is for females only, 24-28 days. Young: It is clear that only the female takes care of the young, feeding them by reflux of partially digested material. The young can leave the nest after 1 to 2 weeks, but they remain in the vicinity and are fed until they are 4 weeks old. Age at first flight is unknown, probably 7-8 weeks.
small
It is clear that only the female takes care of the young, feeding them by refluxing partially digested food. The young may leave the nest after 1-2 weeks, but they remain in the vicinity and are fed until they are 4 weeks old. Age at first flight is unknown, probably 7-8 weeks.
diet
Mainly fish and other aquatic species. Eats fish (including catfish, eel, killifish, perch), frogs, tadpoles, aquatic insects, crayfish, crabs, salamanders and garter snakes. It has been seen catching flying dragonflies. In drier habitats, they may eat rodents, especially mice.
nesting
The male defends his nesting area by announcing his presence with "loud" calls. Courtship offerings are unknown; the male may keep his head down and fluff his white feathers on the sides. One male may mate with one or three females. The nest: The site is usually in a thick swamp over shallow water, sometimes on dry ground among thick grass. The nest (apparently built by the female alone) is a platform of grass, reeds and cattails, lined with soft grass.
Comments
Post a Comment