Page 79 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BITTERNS AND HERONS
Order Ciconiiformes Family Ardeidae Species Nycticorax nycticorax
Night Heron

broad, rounded
dark brown wings wings
and back thin white
plumes
ADULT black
JUVENILE
cap
black back
JUVENILE
grey wings
white
forehead
IN FLIGHT
short,
pale spots on yellow thick
back and tinge bill
wings
yellow legs
(red in spring)
streaked
chest
ADULT

JUVENILE
ight Herons are mostly active at dusk and dawn, FLIGHT: steady, direct; deep beats of slightly
Nbut can be seen quite well by day if discovered arched wings; sometimes in groups.
at a roost.They stand on branches within trees and
thickets near water, typically looking like motionless,
pale spots from a distance. Once located, usually
several are seen, but only when they choose to fly do
the real numbers become apparent, as quite sizeable
parties sometimes leave the trees.They feed in near-
dark conditions, searching for fish, in typical heron
style, at the water’s edge.
VOICE Deep, low, short, crow-like croak.
NESTING Small stick nest in tree or bush; 3–5 eggs;
1 brood;April–July. SHALLOW WADER
FEEDING Mostly nocturnal, taking small fish and Night Herons fish at the edge of ponds and rivers, frequently being most
large insects from water’s edge. active at dusk but fishing all day when they have young to feed.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
In waterside habitats, from
BITTERN similar to reedbeds to tall trees by rivers and
more streaked juvenile; see p.75
lakes, mostly from March to
October in S and C Europe, but
buff breast
and neck very localized in most areas. May
appear farther north in spring;
much smaller wintering birds may be escapees.
LITTLE BITTERN 32; bigger Seen in the UK
see p.76 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 58–65cm (23–26in) Wingspan 90–100cm (35–39in) Weight 600–800g (21–29oz)
Social Roosts and breeds in flocks Lifespan 10–15 years Status Declining
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