Bittern
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Bittern (disambiguation).
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Bitterns
| image = LeastBittern23.jpg
| image_caption = Least Bittern
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Chordata
| classis = Aves
| ordo = Ciconiiformes
| familia = Ardeidae
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
Ixobrychus
Billberg, 1828
Botaurus
Stephens, 1819
}}
Bitterns are a classification of wading birds in the heron family Ardeidae. Species named as bitterns tend to be the shorter necked, often more secretive members of this family.
Bitterns usually frequent reedbeds and similar marshy areas, and feed on amphibians, reptiles, insects and fish.
Unlike the similar storks, ibises and spoonbills, herons and bitterns fly with their necks retracted, not outstretched.
The genus Ixobrychus contains mainly small species:
- Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
- Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
- Stripe-backed Bittern Ixobrychus involucris
- Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis
- Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
- Schrenck's Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus
- Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii
- Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis
The genus Botaurus is the larger bitterns:
- American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosa.
- Great Bittern or European Bittern, Botaurus stellata
- South American Bittern Botaurus pinnatus
- Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus
The other genera of the Ardeidae are considered under the Heron article:be:Бугаі