Black Bittern

1. Dark overall plumage with a prominent yellow or buff neck stripe

2. Long, straight dark bill and elongated neck feathers

3. Often perches visibly in trees or bushes near water

Black Bitterns are mostly solitary and feed on fish, frogs, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. They hunt by stalking slowly or waiting motionless for prey to approach, occasionally plunging from a perch. In Australia, breeding occurs mainly from September to April. Nests are loose platforms built in trees or dense reeds over water. Females usually lay 3-5 eggs, and both parents share incubation and feeding duties. The species is most active at dawn and dusk but may also forage during the day, especially in shaded or overcast conditions.

Fun Facts:

1. Black Bitterns are more likely than other bitterns to perch visibly on branches, making them occasionally easier to spot.

2. Their deep, booming calls can be heard at intervals, especially during the breeding season, often with males calling back and forth across wetlands.

3. Despite their secretive nature, Black Bitterns sometimes forage in open areas, especially along the edges of shaded streams and wetlands.

Look for Black Bitterns in densely vegetated wetlands, forested streams, permanent lagoons, and mangrove systems, especially in northern and eastern Australia, with scattered populations in the south-west. They prefer habitats with thick cover near water, including Melaleuca swamps and tidal creeks. While they are generally secretive, Black Bitterns can sometimes be seen during the day, especially when perching openly in trees or foraging along shaded water edges.