Photo
Details
June 25, 2003 -
Ouray National
Wildlife
Refuge, Uintah County, Utah - ©NJDavis
Description
L 28 WS 42,
Bold
stripes on neck, Smudgy brown back, Long pointed yellowish bill
Other
Lives in
fresh water or
brackish marshes with tall vegetation. Stands or walks very
slowly
then strikes prey with a lightening fast stab. Eats fish,
reptiles,
amphibians, insects and small mammals. When alarmed or standing they
pose
with neck and bill stretched and pointed up and even sway along with
the
vegetation all of which serves as a camoflage. They are very secretive
birds and are solitary feeders. They lay 2-7 buffy olive-brown eggs on
a platform nest made of cattails, sticks and grasses placed in dense
marsh
vegetation a few inches above water. Males may be
polygamous.
Altricial and have just one brood. Incubation period is 28-29 day.
Seasonal
Distribution
Utah
Range Map
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