Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus
Pictures - John Foss
The Little Bittern spends most of its time in reedbeds (where it feeds and breeds) which is the ideal territory for this shy bird to hide away. A summer visitor to the Algarve (although a very small number remain throughout the winter) the Little Bittern builds its nest on a raised platform, and it feeds on the edge of the reeds on frogs and other aquatic creatures. The specimen on this page was photographed on the lake at Quinta do Ludo.
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