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Botaurus flavicollis
Basic stats
Diet
Fish, invertebrates
Habitat
Dense waterside vegetation, mangroves, swamp forest
Range
South and Southeast Asia to Australia
Clutch size
3–5 eggs (typical for bitterns)
Incubation period
About 20–21 days (typical for bitterns)
Size
Medium (54–61cm)
Wingspan
~90cm
Weight
~200–350g
A dark, blackish heron relative found in dense waterside vegetation, mangroves and swamp forest, more often heard (a deep booming call) than seen.
Solitary and highly secretive, hunting fish and invertebrates from cover at the water's edge, usually at dawn, dusk or after dark.
