AI overview
The Eurasian Bittern is a large wading bird found across Europe, Asia, and Africa that lives in wetland areas like reed beds and marshes. It matters because it serves as an indicator of the health of wetland ecosystems, and its populations have declined due to habitat loss, making it important for conservation efforts.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Botaurus
- Mass
- +2.017
- Image
- Eurasian Bittern - Torrile - Italy 4528 (15409347121).jpg
Show 5 more facts
- P105
- species
- P141
- Least Concern
Article
The Eurasian bittern or great bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is a wading bird in the bittern subfamily (Botaurinae) of the heron family Ardeidae. There are two subspecies, the northern race (B. s. stellaris) breeding in parts of Europe and across the Palearctic, as well as on the northern coast of Africa, while the southern race (B. s. capensis) is endemic to parts of southern Africa. It is a secretive bird, seldom seen in the open as it prefers to skulk in reed beds and thick vegetation near water bodies. Its presence is apparent in the spring, when the booming call of the male during the breeding season can be heard. It feeds on fish, small mammals, fledgling birds, amphibians, crustaceans and insects.
The nest is usually built among reeds at the edge of bodies of water. The female incubates the clutch of eggs and feeds the young chicks, which leave the nest when about two weeks old. She continues to care for them until they are fully fledged some six weeks later.