Eurasian Bittern
The Eurasian bittern (or Botaurus stellaris), also known as the great bittern, is a large species of heron found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It inhabits dense reedbeds and freshwater wetlands with abundant vegetation.
Covered in streaked brown plumage, the Eurasian bittern has a stocky body, a thick neck, and a strong, pointed bill, giving it a bulky appearance compared to other herons.
Adults typically measure 69cm to 81cm tall, with a wingspan of 100cm to 130cm and weigh between 0.87kg and 1.9kg. Males may be slightly larger than females.
Botaurus stellaris
Habitat needs
Space is stored as a minimum plus an amount per additional adult; the game's help adds that juveniles don't count. Plan a mixed habitat in the habitat planner.
Terrain
| Terrain | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Long Grass | 30% | 100% |
| Sand | 0% | 10% |
| Waterlogged | 20% | 100% |
| Soil | 10% | 30% |
| Rock | 0% | 30% |
Share of the habitat's terrain.
Barriers with resistance grade 2 or higher 14
- 1-Way Glass grade 2 · $1
- Chain Link grade 2 · $1 · climbable
- Corrugated grade 2 · $1
- Rope Netting grade 2 · $2 · climbable
- Glass grade 3 · $2
- Wire Netting grade 3 · $2 · climbable
- Wood Logs grade 3 · $2 · climbable
- Acrylic grade 4 · $3
- Steel Mesh grade 4 · $3 · climbable
- Thick Glass grade 4 · $3
- Brick grade 5 · $4
- Concrete grade 5 · $4
- Gabion grade 5 · $4 · climbable
- Electric grade 6 · $0.80
At least 1 m high. No water barrier. Grades are the ones the game's barrier tooltips state.
Enrichment it uses 5
- Platform Floats Toy · score 150 · $200
- Mirror Mobile Toy · score 150 · $100
- Sprinkler Toy · score 100 · $100
- Rattle Toy · score 50 · $100
- Tennis Ball Toy · score 100 · $100
Enrichment target: toys 100 + 100 per additional adult; feeders 10 + 5 per additional adult.
Food, life and breeding
- Food
- Small Whole Fish + Freshwater Crustaceans
- Food / drink amount
- 1 / 0.5
- Food cost, grade 1 / 2 / 3
- $191 / $264 / $264
- Feeders
- Food Tray - Large, Food Tray - Small, Slow Feeder, Block of Frozen Fish, Bamboo Feeder
- Lifespan
- 9–11 yr
- Mature / prime / old / elderly
- 1 yr / 3 yr / 5 yr / 8 yr
- Gestation / between births
- 0 yr / 1 yr
- Litter
- 3–6
- Fertility
- 0.3
- Mating system
- Polygynous
- Breeds in
- Spring
- Nest
- Water platform small
- Dominance
- None
- Ecosystem roles
- Predators, Aerial Foragers
- Wild population
- 184,000 - 310,000
- Guests flee if it escapes
- No
Eurasian bitterns are solitary birds, although will tolerate other individuals outside of the mating season. Unlike many bird species, they do not form lasting pairs during the breeding season and part ways soon after mating.
Overview
- Scientific name
- Botaurus stellaris
- Class
- Aves
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Biome
- Temperate, Wetlands
- Continent
- Africa, Asia, Europe
- Content
- Base game