Great Bittern [Botaurus stellaris]
Description
The Great Bittern is a large bird in the heron family Ardeidae. The species is primarily found in Europe and Asia, though populations also exist in parts of Africa. The Great Bittern is known for its distinctive 'boom' call. It inhabits reedbeds and feeds on a diet of fish, eels, amphibians, and invertebrates. Its plumage is a mixture of beige, brown, and black, serving as an effective camouflage within its reedbed habitat.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Birds
Aves
|
| Order |
Pelicans and Relatives
Pelecaniformes
|
| Family |
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
Ardeidae
|
| Genus |
Great Bitterns
Botaurus
|