The black bittern is a bittern of Old World origin, breeding in tropical Asia from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka east to China, Indonesia, and Australia. It is mainly resident, but some northern birds migrate short distances. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.
Region
South Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia
Typical Environment
Occurs from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka through Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, southern China, and the Malay Archipelago to Indonesia, New Guinea, and northern to eastern Australia. It inhabits freshwater and brackish wetlands including marshes, reedbeds, swamps, mangroves, rice paddies, and flooded forest edges. Prefers dense emergent vegetation and overgrown channels where it can remain concealed. Often uses wooded wetlands and will roost or perch in trees over water. Mainly resident throughout the tropics, with some short-distance movements following rains or in response to seasonal drying.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black bittern is a secretive heron of dense wetlands, often remaining motionless with bill pointed upward to blend with reeds. Males are strikingly dark with warm buff neck stripes that are conspicuous in flight. It was long treated in Ixobrychus by some authorities; Dupetor flavicollis remains a widely used name, with Ixobrychus flavicollis as a synonym. It flushes reluctantly and frequently flies up into trees, unlike many other bitterns.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, usually low over water, often flying up to perch in trees
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense cover. Nests in reedbeds or shrubs over water, building a platform of reeds or twigs. Clutch size is usually 3–5 eggs, and both adults share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include low booming or hooting notes at dawn and dusk, interspersed with harsh croaks. Calls carry through dense vegetation and are more often heard than the bird is seen.
