Little Bittern

Небольшая птица с обликом выпи или маленькой коротконогой цапли с черной или темной спиной. Самки отличаются от самцов отсутствием черного, те же участки оперения окрашены коричневым, есть пестрый рисунок на спине. Молодые похожи на самку, отличаются от нее большим количеством пестрин, особенно заметных на кроющих крыла. Вес 100-150 г, длина 33-38, крыло 14.2-15.7, размах 53-58 см.

Common, in places abundant breeding migrant. Inhabits the plain rivers, ponds and small lakes with the reed-beds, bushes and trees. In spring arrives singly or in small groups in early April - early May, migration finishes in mid-May. Breeds in separate pairs sometimes not far one from another. Nest is located in reeds very close to water (up to 0.5 m above), nest is built from the reed stems and leaves; in case of locating of the nest on bushes or trees (at a height of 3 meters), birds use to construction the dry twigs and the dry grass for lining. Clutch of 4-9 eggs is produced in May. Both parents incubate for 16-19 days, and then feed nestlings, day and night. At the age of 17-18 days the chicks in alarm already leave the nest, but come back some later. Flying juveniles observed from the end of July to early September. Autumn migration in small flocks begins in mid-end of August, but mostly in September. Odd birds linger end September, but in southern areas birds seen in end October or even in early November.