Eurasian Bittern

Usually solitary, the Eurasian bittern forages in reed beds, walking stealthily or remaining still above a body of water where prey may occur. If it senses that it has been seen, it points its bill directly upwards and becomes motionless so that its cryptic plumage causes it to blend into the surrounding reeds: an action known as bitterning. It is most active at dawn and dusk.

It usually inhabits Phragmites reed beds.

Bitterns feed on fish, eels, amphibians and invertebrates, hunting along the reed margins in shallow water.

Four or five eggs are laid in late March and April and incubated by the female.