Bird List: "American Bittern"

American Bittern

Name
Common Name	American Bittern
Alternate Name	American Bittern

Taxonomy
Order	Ciconiiformes
Family	Ardeidae
Species	B. lentiginosus

Additional
Introduction	The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus *) is ...
Song	Many of the folk names are given for its distincti...
Range	Although common in much of its range, the American...
Courtship	This bittern winters in the southern United States...
Feeding Habits	Like other members of the heron family, the Americ...
Feeding Stations

Notes and photos
Photos	1 image

Introduction
The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus *) is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae. It is a large, chunky, brown bird, very similar to the Eurasian Great Bittern, Botaurus stellaris. It is 59-70 cm (23-27 inches) in length, with a 95-115 cm (37 - 45 inch) wingspan.

Song
Many of the folk names are given for its distinctive call made by inhaling and exhaling large qunatities of air.

Range

Although common in much of its range, the American Bittern is usually well-hidden in bogs, marshes and wet meadows. Usually solitary, it walks stealthily among cattails or bullrushes. If it senses that it has been seen, the American Bittern becomes motionless, with its bill pointed upward, causing it to blend into the reeds. It is most active at dusk. More often heard than seen, this bittern has a call that resembles a congested pump.

Courtship

This bittern winters in the southern United States and Central America. It summers throughout Canada and much of the United States. As a long-distance migrant, it is a very rare vagrant in Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland. This bird nests in isolated places with the female building the nest and the male guarding it. Two or three eggs get incubated by the female for 29 days, and the chicks leave after 6-7 weeks.

Feeding Habits
Like other members of the heron family, the American Bittern feeds in marshes and shallow ponds, dining on amphibians, fish, insects and reptiles.