Physical Traits
Yellow bitterns of India are small birds, growing to an average length of 38 cm. The neck is short, but the bill is quite long. The male Yellow bittern is of dull yellow color on the upper side as well as the buff below. The head and neck are of chestnut color and the crown is black. The female Yellow bittern has streaked-brown crown, neck and breast. The chicks are pale peachish-pink in color and can climb even before they can fly.
Behavior
Yellow bitterns are also solitary creatures, which usually hunt on
their own. They use their long sturdy bills to capture the prey. Yellow
bitterns of India can slip rather easily and are also pretty good at
quietly climbing among the bottom of reed beds and undergrowth. Usually,
they hunt from cover. However, at times, one can also see them foraging
over floating vegetation, like water-hyacinth beds. The birds are more
active during dawn and dusk.Mating Behavior
Yellow bitterns prefer to breed in dense vegetation near water.
Diet
Yellow Bitterns feed on insects, fish and amphibians.
Natural Habitat
Yellow bitterns inhabit Indian freshwater wetlands, which are covered with thick vegetation. This includes marshes, grasslands, reed beds, ponds, dredge-mine lagoons and reservoirs, including man-made canals. One can also spot them in mangroves.
Status
Yellow Bittern is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
