Black Bittern

The Black Bittern (Dupetor flavicollis) is an uncommon breeding visitor to northern Thailand. Unlike any other species of bittern, the male of this species has completely black plumage with pale yellowish and brown stripes on its neck. Female has similar pattern to the male but with dark brown plumage. It is sure a very shy bird like other bitterns. I've only seen it on land just a few times. Mostly, it is visible only in flight or when it is flushed up from vegetation. Here I caught what seems to be a female in flight at Muang Chum. Too bad the bird was flying a bit way too far so I couldn't get much detail of it, but at least the background was quite pleasing though.