Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Plural form of
bittern .
Etymologies
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Examples
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These include common waterbirds such as bitterns (cinnamon bittern [Ixobrychus cinnamomeus]), herons and egrets (Indian pond-heron [Ardeola grayii], Pacific reef-egret [Egretta sacra]), storks (woolly-necked stork [Ciconia episcopus]), ibis (black-headed ibis [Threskiornis melanocephalus]), ducks (spot-billed duck [Anas poecilorhyncha]), jacanas (pheasant-tailed jacana [Hydrophasianus chirurgus]), pratinoles (oriental pratincole [Glareola maldivarum]), and terns (black-bellied tern [Sterna acuticauda]).
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The other good news for bitterns and their fans is that the bird's range seems to be increasing.
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Early in the 20th century the population slowly began to return and by the 1950s there were 60 bitterns in the UK, but water pollution then destroyed its habitat.
Bitterns: the endangered birds whose population is booming at last 2012
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Today there are at least 100 bitterns, most of them in southern England.
Bitterns: the endangered birds whose population is booming at last 2012
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This nocturnal species can be identified on the basis of its white underside in contrast, yellow-crowned night-herons have a grey underside whilst American bitterns have a cream-coloured underside with chestnut stripes.
Mystery bird: black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax 2011
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Among sites where the bitterns are doing well is Needingworth quarry in the Cambridgeshire Fens where Hanson Aggregates is working with the RSPB to create one of the largest wetland habitats in Europe.
Bittern in booming good health in England's quarries and wetlands 2011
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It remains difficult to be precise about how many bitterns there are because they are secretive, living most of their lives among dense reeds.
Bittern in booming good health in England's quarries and wetlands 2011
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It remains difficult to be precise about how many bitterns remain because they are so secretive, living most of their lives within dense reeds.
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Along with the bitterns, it is hoped new reed beds in the Fens will help secure the future of marsh harriers, snipe, reed buntings, bearded tits and warblers.
Bittern in booming good health in England's quarries and wetlands 2011
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Focused work on bitterns has led to great gains for reed-beds and all the wildlife associated with this priority habitat.
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