Introduction: Eurasion bitterns (Botaurus stellaris) favour a tall, thick emergent vegetation habitat growing in the interior or permanent and seasonal large wetlands. Often heard more than seen, they are active both day and night, often relying on their camouflaged plumage to escape danger.
Distribution: Caprivi and Etosha National Park.
Diet: Forages within the cover of marsh plants and reeds in search for fish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates.
Description: Large bittern with fairly short legs, stout bodies and necks with the inner toe longer than the outer. Cryptic plumage of brown or buff with dark streaks, lacks ornamental plumes of other members of this species. Botaurus is Latin for 'a bellowing bull' because of the booming call of this bird. Stellaris is Latin for 'starry or speckled'.
Breeding: Females lay 2 to 4 eggs which are incubated for around 26 days.
Size: 60cm.
Weight: 1kg.
Birds of Namibia Wildlife of Namibia
Sorry, we can’t seem to find any matches for your search. Have a look at our popular searches below.
