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The little bittern has a length of 33–38 centimetres (13–15 in) and a wing span of 52–58 centimetres (20–23 in). It is the smallest of the breeding herons of Europe and is characterised by its tiny size, long and sharp bill and thick neck. The males are distinctively patterned and both sexes show pale forewing panels. The males have black with a faint green sheen on the crown, nape, back, tail and scapulars. The underparts are pale buff and the wing has a pinkish buff oval shaped panel which contrasts with the otherwise black wings and is formed by the inner wing coverts.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
About the Little Bittern
The little bittern is a wading bird in the heron family, Ardeidae. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Stripe-backed BitternBotaurus involucrisStripe-backed bitterns are very small, averaging from 28 to 35 cm in length.
Least BitternBotaurus exilisThe least bittern is one of the smallest herons in the world, with perhaps only the dwarf bittern and the black-backed bittern averaging smaller in length.
Black BitternBotaurus flavicollisIt is a medium sized bittern at 54–66 cm (21–26 in) in length.
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