Botaurus
| Botaurus | |
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| American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | |
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| Genus: | Botaurus Stephens, 1819
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| Species | |
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B. lentiginosa | |
Botaurus is a genus of bitterns, a group of wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae. It has a single representative species in each of North, Central and South America, Eurasia, and Australasia. The two northern species are partially migratory, with many birds moving south to warmer areas in winter.
The four Botaurus bitterns are all large chunky, heavily streaked brown birds which breed in large reed beds. Almost uniquely for predatory birds, the female rears the young alone.[1] They are secretive and well-camouflaged, and despite their size they can be difficult to observe except for occasional flight views.
Like other bitterns, they eat fish, frogs, and similar aquatic life.
Species
- American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
- Eurasian bittern, Botaurus stellaris
- Pinnated bittern or South American bittern, Botaurus pinnatus
- Australasian bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus
- Botaurus hibbardi (fossil)
References
- ^ Sibly, Richard M.; Christopher C. Witt; Natalie A. Wright; Chris Venditti; Walter Jetz; James H. Brown (2012). "Energetics, lifestyle, and reproduction in birds" (abstract). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. doi:10.1073/pnas.1206512109.
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