Avetoro canelo

1. Nombre del ave

The bird under examination in this article is the Cinnamon Bittern, otherwise recognized by its Latin name, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus.

2. Aspecto

The Cinnamon Bittern, as its name suggests, owns a uniquely characteristic cinnamon color. The body of the bird is cloaked in vivid shades of cinnamon russet, with finer subtleties of beige and brown stretched across the wing. The males stand out with their deeper hue compared to females that are duller light cinnamon. Their beaks are long and spear-like with a yellowish-brown color and eyes that are a captivating shade of red. Their plumes are smooth, offering an impressive spectacle when they expand their wings in a characteristic wing-lift display.

3. Tamaño

Cinnamon Bitterns are small-sized herons, typically reaching an average length of 38 cm (15 inches). When expanded, their wingspans often extend to an impressive average of 60 cm (24 inches). Weighing modestly, these birds usually tip the scales around 150 to 200 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución

The Cinnamon Bittern dwells across the expansive terrains of Asia, stretching from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Japan, Philippines, and Indonesia. It also embraces the natural beauty of Papua New Guinea, and some parts of northern and eastern Australia. The bird does not stick to one particular habitat and can be seen flourishing in wetlands, rice fields, swamps, and marshes, showcasing its adaptability.

5. Datos de interés

The Cinnamon Bittern is a cryptically colored and secretive marsh bird that gets its name from its vibrant cinnamon-colored tones. Despite falling under the category of herons, they are more terrestrial and can be found hiding among dense reeds and grasses. Another fascinating aspect is its unique call – a low frequency, booming “wonk-wonk-wonk” – that it uses primarily during breeding season from its hidden location.

6. Dieta

A Cinnamon Bittern’s diet mainly includes insects, particularly dragonflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and also small fish. Invertebrates like mollusks and shrimps also supplement their diet as they find their meals in mud flats, paddy fields and marshy lands.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos

Cinnamon Bitterns, being secretive birds, spend the majority of their time camouflaged within tall vegetation, making them difficult to spot. They fly low with slow wingbeats and engage in a behavior known as “bitterning”, where they stretch their neck and bill skyward to blend in with reeds and grasses.

8. Estado de conservación

The Cinnamon Bittern is classified as being of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, thanks to its wide geographical spread and abundance in population. However, like many bird species, the key threats they face still involve habitat degradation and loss.

9. Vida útil

The specific lifespan of the Cinnamon Bittern has not been definitively documented, however, most species in the heron family generally live anywhere between 10-15 years in the wild.

10. Notas adicionales

Known as Tsugumi Sagi in Japanese, the Cinnamon Bittern plays an essential role in its ecosystem, functioning as a predator of insects and other small creatures. Despite their elusive nature, they do fall prey to humans’ fascination for their captivating hues, making them somewhat vulnerable to pet trade. In areas populated by humans, they have been known to adapt by hunting in rice fields and other agricultural areas, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability.