Madagascar Heron vs Little Bittern

Ardea humbloti compared with Ixobrychus minutus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Madagascar Heron Little Bittern
Scientific Name Ardea humbloti Ixobrychus minutus
Order Pelecaniformes Pelecaniformes
Family Ardeidae Ardeidae
Conservation Status Endangered Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 89.8 cm (35.4 in) 28.5 cm (11.2 in)
Weight 1060.0 g (37.39 oz) 104.5 g (3.69 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 2-9
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Madagascar Heron only

Little Bittern only

Conservation Status

Endangered

Madagascar Heron

Least Concern

Little Bittern

About These Birds

Little Bittern

The Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) is a small heron of the family Ardeidae and the smallest heron breeding in Europe. Adult males are striking birds: the crown, back, and tail are glossy black, sharply contrasting with large, pale buff to cream-colored wing patches on both the upper and lower wing surfaces — features immediately conspicuous in flight. The neck, breast, and belly are pale buff with a darker central stripe, and the facial skin around the eye is yellow. Females …

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