- South American Bittern
Taxobox | name = South American Bittern
status = LC
| status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49613|title=Botaurus pinnatus|downloaded=03 July 2007 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern]
image_width = 240px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Ciconiiformes
familia = Ardeidae
genus = "Botaurus "
species = "B. pinnatus"
binomial = "Botaurus pinnatus"
binomial_authority = (Wagler, 1829)
synonyms =
range_
range_map_width = 240px
range_map_caption =The South American Bittern ("Botaurus pinnatus"), widely known as the Pinnated Bittern, is a large member of the
heron family found in theNew World tropics . Like the other "Botaurus "bittern s, itsplumage is mostly buffy-brown and cryptically patterned. Though it is a widespread species, it is rarely seen—presumably due to itsskulking habits—and much about its life history remains little known.Description
The South American Bittern is a large heron, measuring between 63.5 and 76 cm (25–30 in) with a weight of roughly convert|800|g|lb. Sexes are similarly plumaged, but females tend to be smaller than males.
Both adults and immatures are generally buffy, though heavily marked with cryptic patterning. Juveniles tend to have a somewhat more reddish ground color. The throat is unmarked white, the foreneck is white broadly streaked with pale brown, and the rest of the neck is buff with thin black barring. The breast and belly are white with broad pale brown streaks, while the back is buff, heavily streaked and barred with black. Rectrices are black in males and brown in females.
The bill is stout and strong, yellowish overall with a dusky upper mandible. The bare facial skin is bright yellow, with a brown line running across the lores. The legs are greenish-yellow, and the iris is yellow.
Slate gray remiges create a conspicuous two-toned effect in flight.
Taxonomy
German naturalist
Johann Georg Wagler , who first described the South American Bittern in 1829, placed it in the genus "Ardea". It is sometimes included in asuperspecies withAmerican Bittern , and these two species are sometimes further included in a superspecies withEurasian Bittern . There are currently two recognizedsubspecies , which are separated by a gap inCentral America .:*"B. p. caribaeus" is found in eastern
Mexico ,Belize and (rarely)Guatemala . It has a longer bill, and shorterwing s andtail than the nominate race, as well as less streaking on the throat.:*"B. p. pinnatus" is found from southeasternNicaragua toEcuador and the Guianas, south throughBrazil toParaguay and northeasternArgentina .Distribution and habitat
The name South American Bittern is a bit misleading, as the species is found as far north as southern Mexico. Its range stretches from the Atlantic slope of southeastern Mexico to northern Argentina, though there are few records for Guatemala and none for Honduras.citation |last= Howell |first= Steve N G |last2= Webb |first2= Sophie |title= A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America |publisher= Oxford University Press |year=1995 |isbn=0-19-854012-4 |pages=135–6] It can be found in a variety of
freshwater habitats, including dense "Phragmites"reedbeds , lakes with borders ofcattail s ("Typha"), rushes, tall sedges orwater hyacinth , flooded tall-grasspasture s,marsh es and overgrown ditches.Estimates of its population, and of overall population trends, are unknown.
Behavior
The South American Bittern is largely
nocturnal . Though generally solitary, it will gather in small loose groups at favored feeding areas. When frightened, it tends to freeze with its body crouched low and its head raised vertically just high enough to see. It typically flushes only at close range.Food and feeding
Its diet is varied, consisting of
fish ,reptile s,amphibian s,insect s and smallmammal s, all of which are typically taken in ambush.citation |last= Stiles |first=F Gary |last2= Skutch |first2= Alexander F |title= A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica |publisher= Cornell University Press |year=1989 |isbn=0-8014-9600-4 |page=81] The South American Bittern is a patient hunter, often standing motionless for long periods while waiting for prey to move within range.Breeding
Unlike many herons (but like other bitterns), the South American Bittern is a solitary breeder. Its nest, a platform or shallow cup of rush stems or other plant material, is typically built among thick vegetation not far above the water surface. The female lays two to three olive-brown eggs, and is thought to do all of the incubation. citation |editor-last= del Hoyo |editor-first= Josep |editor2-last= Elliott |editor2-first= Andrew |editor3-last= Sargatal |editor3-first= Jordi |year= 1992 |title= Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 1 |publisher= Lynx Edicions |location= Barcelona |isbn=84-87334-10-5 |pages=427-428] South American Bitterns are almost exclusively
wet season breeders.Voice
If flushed, the South American Bittern gives a rough "rawk-rawk-rawk" call. During the breeding season, the male booms at dusk and into the night; his call is a deep "poonk" or "poonkoo".
References
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