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Bitterns
Subfamily Botaurinae
Genus Ixobrychus

bittern hidden among reeds
Can you find the bittern in this photo? Answer below
Photo from John Palmer
 Bitterns are famous for their ability to blend in. When they sense a potential predator, they stand motionless amongst the reeds, with beak pointing straight up and neck vertical.
Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Similar to other herons in habits and habitat, although they are generally smaller and have shorter necks and legs.

Status in Singapore: Some are resident, others are visitors.

For more on the Bitterns commonly seen in Sungei Buloh:
Yellow Bittern (I. sinensis)
Cinnamon Bittern (I. cinnamomeus)
World distribution: East and Southeast Asia to New Guinea.

Classification: Subfamily Botaurinae of the family Ardeidae (herons).
juvenile bittern camouflaged among lily leavesTheir brown-streaked chest plumage makes them almost indistinguishable from the surrounding vegetation. They may even wobble slowly to imitate the movement of the surrounding vegetation.

showing widely spaced eyes That's not all: their eyes are placed widely on the head, allowing them a wide field of vision to see all around them, even when their head is pointed upwards. This allows them to adjust their position so their striped chest always faces the intruder. Their back is not as well camouflaged and they would be quickly spotted if the intruder were to walk behind it! Only females and juveniles have well defined vertical stripes on their chests.

close-up of sharp beak and erected feathersBitterns depend more on camouflage than flight. They are sluggish, and their flight slow and short. But Bitterns are not defenceless. When threatened, they attack with sharp bills and claws. They also erect their feathers to make themselves appear bigger.

Bitterns are solitary birds, inhabiting reedy and marshy places. These secretive birds feed alone in dense reedbeds and waterside vegetation, usually in the evening. They hunt small fish, frogs, crayfish and other invertebrates.

Status and threats: Bitterns are currently not endangered, but are affected by habitat destruction and overuse of pesticides which poison their prey and them. Ironically, Bitterns may actually help control insect pests on rice fields and should be encouraged in cultivated fields.

Answer to "Where is the bittern in the photo?": it's at the far left lower corner.

REFERENCES
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Nature's Niche
  • Lim Kim Seng and Dana Gardner, "Birds: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Singapore", Sun Tree Publishing Ltd., 1997 (p.85-87: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, diagram, number of species)
  • G W H Davison and Chew Yen Fook, "A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore", New Holland Publishers Ltd., 1995 (p. 19-20: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, photo).
  • Clive Briffett, "A Guide to the Common Birds of Singapore", BP Science Centre,1992 (p. 80-82: habit, habitat).
  • Sir John A S Bucknill and E N Chasen, " Birds of Singapore and South-East Asia", Tynron Press, 1927, edition 1990 (p. 92-93: a fascinating description of the bittern's tactic of avoiding detection).
  • David R Wells, "The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 1 (Non-Passarines)", Academic Press, 1999 (p. 95-100: identification, distribution map, habits, habitat, migration, conservation).
  • Dr. Harold G Cogger (et. al), "Encyclopedia of Animals"; Herons and their Allies by K. W. Lowe, Weldon Owen, 1993 (p. 290: habits).
  • John Palmer (ed.), "Exploring the Secrets of Nature", Reader's Digest, 1994 (p. 220: habits and photo of bittern hiding among reeds).
 
By Ria Tan, 2001