Are Least bitterns rare?

Where does the Eurasian bittern live?

Two races of Eurasian bittern are recognised; the nominate subspecies B. s. stellaris has a palearctic distribution and occurs across a broad swathe of Europe, North Africa and Asia, while the other subspecies, B. s. capensis, occurs only in southern Africa.

Where do bitterns live in Africa?

It is known to breed in South Africa and is rare in Zambia. It is common in Iran but considered to be uncommon through its breeding and nonbreeding range in Asia. The Eurasian Bittern is a bird of densely vegetated wetlands with extensive beds of tall grass or sedge.

Where to find Eurasian bitterns in 2020?

One Some very interesting news has been gathered in 2020 with the recording of Eurasian Bittern in two different places the Eastern province. In spring I recorded nocturnal migrant birds and recorded two separate Eurasian Bitterns as follows: One bird calling six time between 19:00 -20:00, Dhahran Hills, Eastern province, 24 March 2020

Is the Eurasian bittern related to Botaurus?

The Eurasian Bittern is one of the four large Botaurus bitterns, which all have streaked brown plumage, scutellate tarsi, 10 tail feathers, and a booming call. It is most closely related to the Australasian Bittern (Payne and Risely 1976, Sibley and Monroe 1990).

Where do bitterns live year round?

While detecting the right habitat and calls is important, perhaps the most crucial component of a successful bittern search is seasonal timing. In parts of North America — along the Pacific coast, in extreme southern California, along the Texas coast, in southern Florida, and in the mid-Atlantic — one or both bitterns occur year-round.

What is a bittern in the Bible?

They were called hæferblæte in Old English; the word “bittern” came to English from Old French butor, itself from Gallo-Roman butitaurus, a compound of Latin būtiō (buzzard) and taurus (bull). Bitterns usually frequent reed beds and similar marshy areas and feed on amphibians, reptiles, insects, and fish .

What is the origin of the bird’s name Botaurus?

The generic name Botaurus was given by the English naturalist James Francis Stephens, and is derived from Medieval Latin butaurus, “bittern”, itself constructed from the Middle English name for the bird, botor. Pliny gave a fanciful derivation from Bos (ox) and taurus (bull), because the bittern’s call resembles the bellowing of a bull.

What kind of bird is a Eurasian bittern?

Eurasian bittern. The Eurasian bittern or great bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is a wading bird in the bittern subfamily (Botaurinae) of the heron family Ardeidae.

Who are the authors of the bittern Botaurus stellaris?

Harrison, J.A.; Allan, D.G.; Underhill, L.G.; Herremans, M.; Tree, A.J.; Parker, V.; Brown, C.J. (eds.). Bittern Botaurus stellaris (PDF). The Atlas of Southern African Birds.

What is the difference between a Botaurus and a capensis?

The name capensis was used for species found in the Afrotropics for which no exact range was known. The generic name Botaurus was given by the English naturalist James Francis Stephens, and is derived from Medieval Latin butaurus, “bittern”, itself constructed from the Middle English name for the bird, botor.

Where do bitterns live in the winter?

You can find them in wetlands of many sizes and kinds, typically less densely vegetated and shallower than wetlands used by the Least Bittern. In winter they move to areas where water bodies don’t freeze, especially near the coast, where they occasionally use brackish marshes.

Is the Bittern a common bird in Ireland?

The bittern was a common bird in Ireland until the mid-19th century. It used to live here all year round but is a rare winter visitor nowadays. Bitterns are related to herons and live on freshwater wetlands. Their extinction in Ireland is linked to loss of habitat and human persecution.

What does the Bible say about bitterns?

Bitterns are mentioned in 3 verses in the Bible. Isaiah 14:23 , 34:11 and Zephaniah 2:14. Bitterns are a kind of birds in the heron family, Ardeidae, a family of wading birds. Species named bitterns tend to be the shorter-necked, often more secretive members of this family. Bitterns part of the heron family.

What is The wingspan of a bittern?

The Eurasian or great bittern is 69–81 cm (27–32 in) in length, with a 100–130 cm (39–51 in) wingspan and a body mass of 0.87–1.94 kg (1.9–4.3 lb).

What is an Eurasian bittern?

The Eurasian Bittern or Great Bittern ( Botaurus stellaris) is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. Source: Wikipedia Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept:

How big does a Burhinus capensis get?

Burhinus capensis damarensis (Reichenow, 1905) – Namibia, Botswana and Southwest South Africa (Cape Province). This bird stands about 34 – 43 cm (~13- 17 inches) tall and weighs between 365 – 450 grams (~12 – 16 oz). It averages 7.2cm (15 in) in length and its wing span is from 200-245 mm (20-24.5in).

What is Pappea capensis?

Pappea capensis is a South African tree in the family Sapindaceae. It is the only species in the genus Pappea. Common names include Jacket plum, Indaba tree and bushveld cherry.

What does Drosera capensis look like?

Drosera capensis ‘Alba’. D. capensis produces strap-like leaves, up to 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) long (not including the petiole) and 0.5 centimetres (0.2 in) wide, which, as in all sundews, are covered in brightly coloured tentacles which secrete a sticky mucilage that traps arthropods.

When to see bitterns in Norfolk?

When to see. Bitterns are recorded in Norfolk all year round and a good time to see them is in the winter when the small breeding population is boosted by wintering bitterns from abroad. Listen out for their booming calls from early March until June.

What is the rarest Bittern in the UK?

Bittern Botaurus stellaris. One of the rarest breeding birds in the UK, the elusive, well camouflaged bittern can be found all year round in the reedbeds of the Norfolk Broads.

Are there herons and bitterns in the UK?

Learn to identify our growing number of heron and bittern species next time you visit a wetland or river with our guide to these stunning and stealthy hunters. Herons are a common sight in the UK, often seen perched on the bank of a river or lake, or hunting for fish in wetlands and marsh. You may even see a heron fishing in your garden pond.