Little Bittern
Ixobrychus minutus
Visual Identification
Appearance
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.
Size
Length
33cm to 38cm
Wingspan
49cm to 58cm
Weight
59g to 150g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little Bittern. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Little Bittern demonstrates remarkable agility, moving stealthily through dense vegetation and freezing in place with precise control. Their ability to blend perfectly with reeds by stretching their necks and pointing their bills upward showcases exceptional body control.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Little Bitterns possess enough strength to catch and handle small fish and amphibians. Their compact body and short neck are suited for quick strikes rather than powerful exertions.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds show high adaptability, inhabiting various wetland habitats across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. Their ability to migrate long distances and adjust to different climates (temperate, subtropical, and tropical) further demonstrates their adaptiveness.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Little Bitterns are generally non-aggressive, preferring to hide or freeze when threatened rather than confront predators. However, they may display some aggression during breeding season, particularly when defending nests or territories.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Despite their small size, Little Bitterns exhibit impressive endurance during long-distance migrations between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa or southern Asia. Their ability to survive in various climates and habitats also suggests good overall endurance.
Diet
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.
Behaviour
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Nesting & Breeding
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.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Little Bitterns in dense reedbeds and marshy areas
- Listen for their distinctive 'woof-woof' call, especially at dawn and dusk
- Watch for movement in reeds, as they often freeze when spotted
- Use a spotting scope to observe their behaviour from a distance
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include larger birds of prey, such as marsh harriers and herons, as well as mammals like foxes and raccoons.
Did You Know?
- Little Bitterns can blend in perfectly with reeds by stretching their necks and pointing their bills upward.
- They are the smallest heron species found in Europe.
- Little Bitterns can fly long distances during migration despite their small size.
- The first record of breeding Little Bitterns was observed in South Yorkshire in 1984. Prior to this, almost 150 anecdotal reports exist, with sightings in Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. In recent years, breeding has been regularly reported in Somerset between 2009 and 2017, and although no reports were made in 2018, a male was heard at the same site in 2019.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Ixobrychus minutus (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22735766A155511258.
View source - 3
website, 2015: Wetlands International
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