Eurasian Bittern's threat display

The bittern reacts very strongly to an overhead threat, Lee Valley, Hertfordshire December 1995

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• birding
• bird
• watching
• birdwatchingv
• behaviour
• great
• eurasian
• watchpoint
• redshouldervids

[Rageah0lic]

do you have a video with it's call? most people say it sounds really creepy

[redshouldervids]

I've tried to reply with an external link twice but it doesn't seem to want to post it!. If you go to the RSPB wbpage and search for bittern you can find a recording of its booming call. The flight call is a deep hoarse grunt.

[richardclaxtoncni]

amazing footage, how long did you have to wait for this bird

[redshouldervids]

It had been showing sporadically to the left of the hide for 20 mins or so then came out into the channel as in the extended video. After jumping into the reeds on the right it preened and then gradually hid as in the hiding video. All in all I guess we were there for about 45 mins. Apparently one was on occasion behaving similarly this winter in front of the hide at Blashford Lakes near Ringwood, Hampshire

[redshouldervids]

Thanks - the display came out of nowhere! Have you checked out the extended version to see its behaviour before and after this display?

[Serasia]

I thought he looked a little funny at first, but he'd probably beat me up if I wasn't careful.

Despite my initial comment, he's a pretty-looking bird. :)

[paranoia1337]

Hey, you can find it's call here on a Dutch website. Just scroll down and look for 'Roerdomp', the Dutch name for the Great Bittern.

[TheMysticEgg]

Wow, you did well to find that bittern! - They're virtually invisible in reedbeds. Have yuo got the infamous Bittern 'BOOM'? (on Tape?)

[dananddanfilms]

That is awesome. If it's aim is to freak spectators out, it works on me.