Least Bittern

Ixobrychus exilis

This member of the heron family is difficult to spot because of its shy, secretive habits and its tendency to remain hidden in dense marsh plant growth. Like other herons, it stalks its food by wading in shallow water. The least bittern has a buff-coloured breast and underparts, and the dark back and crest are black in the males, dark brown in the females. The juveniles have dark vertical streaks on their breast.