DWARF BITTERN (Rail Heron)
Ixobrychus sturmii
Dwergrietreier (Afrikaans)
HABITAT
Found mostly in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal in places such as Mkhuze and Ndumo. It
inhabits reedbeds on rivers, streams and small water bodies as well wetlands and floodplains with
scattered trees and bushes.
TYPE
This small heron is blackish above and pale below with heavy black streaks and a black line
down the foreneck. The eyes are reddish brown to dark red, the bill is dark greeny bleck above and
yellow below and the legs and feet are bright yellow. This is a mostly solitary bird which is
partially nocturnal.
FOOD
It feeds on fish, frogs and arthropods.
BREEDING
Dwarf Bitterns nest from December to March in KwaZulu-Natal, building a flimsy platform of
twigs and grass stems, lowdown in thorn trees or bushes overhanging the water. The eggs can number
two to five and are coloured white to pale blue or green.
STATUS
A breeding migrant from equatorial Africa, they are uncommon to rare.
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