Little Bittern

Ixobrychus minutus

(I. m. minutus)

Armenian Name:	Փոքր ջրցուլ

See Plate 4 for Little Bittern and other similar species

Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	33-38 cm, Wing Span:52-58 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 19.
Description:	Very small secretive heron.
Adult (Breeding):	Male has blackish cap and back with pale yellow wing patches. Underparts pale and streaked. Female has browner back and more distinct streaking.
Adult (Non-breeding):	Both sexes have darker face, wing patch, and underparts.
Juvenile:	Brown overall with mottled back and streaked wings and underparts.
Behavior:	Most active at dawn, dusk, and night. Makes short flights close to cover before dropping into dense vegetation.
Habitat:	Marshes, river banks, and ponds with emergent vegetation.
Food:	Insects, fish, amphibians, small birds and eggs.
Nest:	Small compact mound of dry reed stems in reedbeds.
Eggs:	36 mm, 5-7, white.