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Black Bittern stalking quarry

on 19th January 2011

Lena Chow had an exciting encounter with a Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) on the afternoon of 31st December 2010. The bittern was stalking its quarry, moving stealthily from dry land to the water edge (1st video). It took a crouched posture, moving very slowly and at times standing still. The throat area inflated and the tail flapped downwards in a somewhat circular motion, alternating clockwise and anticlockwise as the bird stalked its prey (2nd video).

The tongue of the bittern was seen flicking out a number of times as it moved down to the water edge (left).

The Black Bittern is crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning that it is active at dusk and dawn, rather than in total darkness or in daylight. During the day when it is raining and the sky is overcast, it also becomes active. In this particular instance, the rain had just stopped when the bittern appeared.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

8 Responses

    1. The tail maneuvering is extremely interesting. I never noticed this in a hunting egret or heron before, but will look for it now! I suppose TJY says it must have a hunting purpose, though it is a little hard to see exactly how it will attract prey.

      1. hi Gretchen,

        A potential theory is the moving tail will cast a shadow onto the water that attracts prey here that had thought that the shadow were some moving small fish or insects?

        The Little Heron will use leaf, bread or other material to attract the prey.

        Another heron outside this region, I forgotten the name, will cast a round shadow using its wing and hide its head inside, as the shade attracts fish and it sees the water better with the wings blocking the glare from the sun.

        Herons are very interesting as different species tend to use different techniques to help them catch prey, of course, it is probably still uncertain how the tail wagging help in this case.

  1. The tail may be a kind of behavior to attract prey, different species of herons used different tactics, it may be reflected into the water as a fish swimming in circles?? perhaps?

    I was still hoping to find this species around, had been trying many times to spot this, but best I get were always Yellow and Cinnamons. Should not be that rare but definitely a hard one to meet.

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