Scientific Name: Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Malay Name: Gelam Belakang Coklat
Chinese Name: 紫背苇鳽
Alternative Name(s): Chestnut Bittern, Schrenck's Bittern
Range: Found from Siberia, Korea, Japan to eastern China and winters in southern China and Southeast Asia
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 39-42 cm
Identification: Male has dark chestnut upperparts contrasting strongly with mostly buffish underparts and wing-coverts. Female and immature resembles Cinnamon Bittern but has darker and more prominently spotted upperparts (and wings, for adult).
Similar looking species: Cinnamon Bittern
Habitat: Freshwater marshes, forest streams, well-vegetated ponds and mangroves.
Behaviour/Ecology: Similar to other bitterns where it perches motionless for long periods before feeding.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Central Catchment Forest, Lower Pierce Reservoir, Tuas South, Pasir Ris Park, Sungei Buloh and Satay by the Bay.
Featured reports: Mar 2022, Apr 2022, Nov 2022, Jan 2023, Feb 2023, Mar 2023, Apr 2023
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Schrenck's Bittern)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Ixobrychus eurhythmus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697317A93607859.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Von Schrenck's Bittern. Retrieved on May 30, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/von-schrencks-bittern.