Black Bittern (Female): Ixobrychus flavicollis

Black Bittern (Female): Ixobrychus flavicollis

Black Bittern: Ixobrychus flavicollis. Also known as Yellow-necked Bittern or Mangrove Bittern.

 

Status: In India it is listed as Least Concern; however, in Australia it is listed as Vulnerable.

 

This one is a female of the species - paler in colour than male; under-parts are streaked white, yellow and black; characteristic yellow-orange streaks on each side of the head and neck. The inset shows the profile while lighter under-parts are clearly visible in main photo. Compare with the male Black Bittern .

 

Booming call during breeding season; limited migration; the wetlands of Indian sub-continent, China and Australia are its main habitat; nest among the grasses and reeds and on branches of trees on the banks of wetlands where they roost; nests are made of twigs and grass.

 

Feed both in day light and at night.

 

Reclusive and easily blend into the background. Can hold posture for long durations.

 

The male of the species has also been spotted on this trip and dealt with in a separate post.

 

Photographed at Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India on 2nd March, 2014

 

Camera used: Nikon D5100 DSLR with AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm VR Lens