Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Arne Lesterhuis and Rob Clay are used with their permission.
STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN Ixobrychus involucris
A small bittern, this species is heard far more often than he is seen. He inhabits dense reedbeds where he clambers up the stems with agility, but spot him and he will immediately adopt the "bitterning posture", pointing his head skyward and moving slowly side to side so that he blends in with the reeds moving in the wind!
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE3147PH) Adult inhand, Asunción, Departamento Central (Rob Clay September 2011).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE3148PH) Adult bitterning posture, Asunción, Departamento Central (Rob Clay September 2011).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE117PH) Adult dorsal inhand, Asunción, Departamento Central (Arne Lesterhuis undated).
FIGURE 4 - (FPAVE3149PH) Adult, Asunción, Departamento Central (Rob Clay September 2011).
FIGURE 5 - (FPAVE3150PH) Adult bitterning posture, Asunción, Departamento Central (Rob Clay September 2011).
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