ML29066821

Age and sex

Adult Female - X

Observation details

First one ever reported in eBird for St. Joseph County. This bird is listed a State Endangered Bird Species, along with nine (9) other bird species which have been reported at or near this checklist location within St. Joseph County. http://www.in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/files/fw-Endangered_Species_List.pdf Brock states that, "The Least Bittern is difficult to see; usually only a brief glimpse is obtained as flying birds skim the cattails in moving from one section of the marsh to another." So I guess I was lucky. I had even just finished making a considerable amount of noise nearby, but this bird was still out in the open at the edge of the marsh. Stood remarkably still for quite a while. Was silent. Was probably there while I was taking pictures of the Sora before I saw it nearby while scanning the edge of the cattails. Didn't move as I approached closer through the tall grass. Finally turned it's head toward the inner marsh area, cocking it as if to listen, and then flew into the marsh. This would be a female by the "purplish-chestnut" colored back. Males have a black back and crown. Long stabbing bill like a heron's which looked orange/yellow colored above a white throat and chest with a pink colored lore extending from the bill to beneath the eye. Light hazel colored eyes. Tan colored lower face and lower wings. Chestnut colored crown and neck with a darker purplish chestnut colored upper back extending to the primary tips with a contrasting white stripe down both wings forming a "V" from a distance. Stood a little larger than a Virginia Rail, but not as active.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P600

ISO

160

Focal length

567.6 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

3264 pixels x 2448 pixels

Original file size

2.17 MB