Ixobrychus minutus
Little Bittern
The Little Bittern is a small heron with a compact body and short neck. Males have a black crown and back, contrasting with buff-coloured wing coverts and a distinctive pale panel on the upperwing. The underparts are pale with buff streaks on the breast and flanks.
Females are less striking, with brown upperparts and streaked underparts. Juveniles resemble females but have more extensive streaking.
Both sexes have yellow bills and greenish-yellow legs. Their eyes are yellow, and their bill can be either yellow or yellowish-green.
Length
33cm to 38cm
Wingspan
49cm to 58cm
Weight
59g to 150g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Little Bitterns inhabit freshwater wetlands with dense vegetation, including reedbeds, marshes, and the edges of lakes and slow-flowing rivers. They are found across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, with breeding populations in southern and central Europe.
During winter, they migrate to sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. In the UK, they are rare visitors, occasionally breeding in southern England.
Up to 1,800 meters
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Little Bitterns are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming small fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects. Crustaceans, molluscs, worms, frogs, tadpoles and small reptiles are also eaten.
They hunt by standing motionless at the water's edge or on floating vegetation, striking quickly with their sharp bills to catch prey passing by. Little Bitterns are crepuscular, with their most active feeding periods at dusk and dawn.
Little Bitterns are secretive and often difficult to spot. They move stealthily through dense vegetation, freezing in place with their bill pointed upward when threatened, mimicking reeds.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays, including neck-stretching and feather-raising, to attract mates.
The Little Bittern's call is a distinctive, deep 'woof-woof' or 'roo-roo', often repeated in series. During the breeding season, males produce a louder, more resonant 'woomp' call. They may emit a sharp, cat-like 'kek-kek-kek' sound when alarmed.
Outside of the breeding season, they're relatively non-vocal birds.
Breeding occurs from May to July in Europe. Males attract females with elaborate displays and vocalisations. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season.
Nests are built in dense vegetation, usually low over water. They are platforms made of reeds and other aquatic plants. Females lay 4-6 pale blue or greenish-white eggs.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 17-19 days. Chicks fledge after 25-30 days but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
years
The Little Bittern typically lives for 5 to 10 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
While listed as Least Concern globally, Little Bittern populations are declining in parts of Europe due to wetland habitat loss and degradation.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring suitable wetland habitats, particularly in their breeding range.
Common Little Bittern
Main predators include larger birds of prey, such as marsh harriers and herons, as well as mammals like foxes and raccoons.
Your feedback helps us improve our content
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Sign in to be the first to review
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Ixobrychus minutus (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22735766A155511258.
View sourcewebsite, 2015: Wetlands International