Yellow Bittern – bitterning posture

“An adult male Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) in the classical ‘you cannot see me’ or bitterning posture (above) – bill pointing upwards and sometimes with neck stretched vertically. I call this the ‘I am one with the reeds’ camouflage posture.

“It is assumed when the bird is alarmed or does not want to be noticed and tries to blends in with the reeds. I find the posture very amenable for me to make a slow, close approach to the bird; in this case 3 meters.

“The other 3 images (2 above, 1 below) are the result; better quality images.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
26th June 2017

Location: Tambun, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth near limestone hills and ex-mining pools (fish farming)