Little Bittern

The Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) is a resident bird of the heron species in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Small nesting groups were spotted in al-Asfar Lake in al-Ahsa Governorate in addition to large groups migrating toward the region, including transient birds and winter visitors.

Male little bitterns are known for their greenish-black head, wings, and outer, and middle body parts. Female birds have a darker-colored head, wings, and outer, and middle body parts, while the rest of their body is yellowish-brown. These birds have extra feathers on the chest and under the beak.

The Little Bittern has an agile build. The bird is best known for standing near bushes with its head held high for camouflage.

The breeding season of the Little Bittern begins in spring, as of April. It may last until the end of summer. These birds usually live alone or in small groups. Their nest consists of dry stems of reeds. They are lined with leaves and are usually found around twenty-five cm above water, between reed stems. The height of the Little Bittern's nest in some areas was found at sixty cm, with a diameter ranging between twenty-five and thirty-five cm. The female Little Bittern lays four to six usually white and sometimes greenish eggs. The incubation period lasts between seventeen and nineteen days. Younglings are often able to fly once they turn twenty-five to thirty days.

Little Bitterns find their food in the environment where they live. They feed on small fish, frogs, and insects. However, their numbers are recording a major decline in several regions.