Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form
Species: Least Bittern
Reporter:
Cliff Weisse, 4125 Beaver Springs Rd., Island Park, ID 83429, 208-558-7789, October@ida.netOther Observers:
Darren Clark, Rexburg, ID 356-0026Date of Observation: 6/17/2005, 12:00 pm through about 3:00 pm
Date Report Prepared: 6/25/2005
Locality of Observation: Camas NWR, Hamer, ID in Jefferson County
Habitat: Creek running through marsh habitat.
Conditions: Sunny and light wind. Sun was high and lighting was good.
Did you take notes…
No
Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?
Yes
What guide or reference did you consult?
Description: Adult male Least Bittern. Small bittern with rusty/rufous nape, blackish cap, white throat and underparts(unstreaked), back blackish with white line above wing, legs yellow. See photo below.
Behavior: Actively foraging on minnows and occasionally preening or skulking into weeds for short periods.
How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? The bird’s ID was already known. I was convinced by the black cap and back (with white line over wing) immediately. This was a distinctive looking bird from the start.
How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Green Heron is the most similar species and it is eliminated by white throat and underparts and yellow legs, among other things. American Bittern is heavily streaked on the throat and upper breast in all plumages.
Experience with this species: None