Species Table

Kakkak (Yellow Bittern)

Ixobrychus sinensis

Photo by Gary J. Wiles

Hunting for food:

Yellow bitterns perch on coconut palms or on the ground and extend their heads and necks to snatch passing prey.

General Facts:

Yellow bitterns are the only native birds that can still can be found on the island. Chamorus call them "Kakkak" because of the sound they make. Yellow bitterns can be found throughout the Micronesian islands and Asia. This bird is fairly common in Guam's southern savanna, northern forests, and urban areas in Agana. Yellow bitterns are not strong fliers. Yellow bitterns are masters of disguise. Yellow bitterns use their color to blend into the background to hide from their predators or when they sense immediate danger from humans.

Sizes and shape:

Yellow bitterns are medium-sized, pale yellow birds with black wing stripes.

Sources of Food:

Geckos, Snails, Skinks and Insects

Nesting:

Yellow bitterns nest in a variety of locations, such as in low shrubs on off shore islets, in trees, and among grasses at freshwater wetlands.

Style of flying:

Yellow bitterns are not strong fliers. When in flight, their legs trail behind their bodies and their necks are folded into an S-shape.

Threatening Factors:

Yellow bitterns use their color to blend into the background to hide from their predators or when they sense immediate danger from humans.

Reproduction:

The yellow bittern lays three or four white eggs. Once the eggs hatch, both parents feed digested food to the babies.

Additional Facts:

If you find young yellow bittern birds lost, hurt or abandoned, leave them alone. They may be waiting for their parents to return from hunting for food and are merely using their colors to protect themselves.

PaGe CrEaTeD bY JuNg KiM
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Funded by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs administered by the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources, Department of Agriculture, and the Guam Coastal Management Program, Bureau of Planning, Government of Guam pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA270Z0331-01.

*Hunting for food:*	Yellow bitterns perch on coconut palms or on the ground and extend their heads and necks to snatch passing prey.
*General Facts:*	Yellow bitterns are the only native birds that can still can be found on the island. Chamorus call them "Kakkak" because of the sound they make. Yellow bitterns can be found throughout the Micronesian islands and Asia. This bird is fairly common in Guam's southern savanna, northern forests, and urban areas in Agana. Yellow bitterns are not strong fliers. Yellow bitterns are masters of disguise. Yellow bitterns use their color to blend into the background to hide from their predators or when they sense immediate danger from humans.
*Sizes and shape:*	Yellow bitterns are medium-sized, pale yellow birds with black wing stripes.
*Sources of Food:*	Geckos, Snails, Skinks and Insects
*Nesting:*	Yellow bitterns nest in a variety of locations, such as in low shrubs on off shore islets, in trees, and among grasses at freshwater wetlands.
*Style of flying:*	Yellow bitterns are not strong fliers. When in flight, their legs trail behind their bodies and their necks are folded into an S-shape.
*Threatening Factors:*	Yellow bitterns use their color to blend into the background to hide from their predators or when they sense immediate danger from humans.
*Reproduction:*	The yellow bittern lays three or four white eggs. Once the eggs hatch, both parents feed digested food to the babies.
*Additional Facts:*	If you find young yellow bittern birds lost, hurt or abandoned, leave them alone. They may be waiting for their parents to return from hunting for food and are merely using their colors to protect themselves.