Yellow Bittern’s Stance

on 9th April 2012

“There was an earlier posting of a Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) in camouflage mode LINK.

“It was my pleasure to observe a Yellow Bittern attempting its camouflage stance recently. In this instance, however, while it was trying to appear invisible, it remained quite visible due to the bittern’s plumage not blending well with the environment.

“This bittern was preening itself before it became aware that it was being watched. It was amusing to watch it slowly being transformed from relax mood to camouflage mode. In normal relax mode, its neck appeared short. This ‘short’ neck would extend and appear longer and longer when the bittern was alert and in a heightened state. Its neck was impressively long when fully extended; appearing to be at least twice its body length. In its heightened state and camouflage mode, its bill would also point skywards. From side profile, its head would turn to directly face the perceived threat (that was me). Its yellow eyes were striking with both eyes clearly visible. Apparently, pointing its bill upwards would get its bill out of the line of vision and aid in the bittern’s binocular vision as it focus its sight towards the perceived threat.

“To appreciate the transformation and impressive neck, the composite images show various stages of bittern’s posture in sequence. If you look at the images closely, you will notice that the bittern was standing on one leg all the time. It was amazing that it managed to maintain its balance and stance with its neck fully extended and even with some minor swaying of its neck.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
21st March 2012

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Clustrmaps (since 2016)