Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

2012-06-30 Gorkoe lake. Vylkovo, Tyumentsevsky raion. Altaisky krai.	© Vadim Zykov

Description

Background color of Great Bittern is clayey-buff; each feather is black-brown mottled. Forehed, crown and nape are black-brownish. There are no differences in seasonal and age plumages. Bill, legs and skin near eyes are greenish-yellow; legs are slightly greener than bill; claws are black-brown, eyes are yellow. Sizes: wing 320-350, tail 113-116, tarsus 96-102 mm.

Distribution

Eurasian Bittern widespread breeds on lakes and reservoirs in steppe, forest-steppe, and south of forest zone in Siberia; in Yakutia it can move more north, to midddle stream of Lena River. On migration it is also observed on plains; very rare visits mountain lakes.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.
В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Сибири". Москва-Екатеринбург, Изд-во "Кабинетный ученый", 2014