The stripe-backed bittern (Ixobrychus involucris) is a species of heron in the family Ardeidae which is found in South America and Trinidad. Description The stripe-backed bittern is very small, averaging around in length. It is darker brown with a white and brown striped pattern along the back, and a black stripe from head to tail, while the underbelly is lighter brown and striped with white. This bittern calls through distinct, low-pitched , or through gargling. Distribution and habitat The stripe-backed bittern is distributed in large patches across South America, located in Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the island of Trinidad to the north, and in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Brazil to the south, inhabiting reed-beds and sedge. Behaviour and ecology The stripe-backed bittern is a solitary animal. It generally feeds at night on small fish, crustaceans and insects such as dragonflies and water beetles. It is not a strong flier, and only does so across short distances. When threatened, it responds by pointing its neck and bill skyward, a characteristic posture of bitterns. The stripe-backed bittern makes small nests of reeds and stems, which are found above water level, among reeds. The clutch consists of three eggs. Incubation period for eggs is unknown, and breeding seasons appear to vary based on location. Status This bittern is considered to be of least concern due to its wide range, and large, stable population. References stripe-backed bittern Birds of South America Birds of Trinidad and Tobago Birds of the Caribbean stripe-backed bittern Taxa named by Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot Taxonomy articles created by Polbot