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American Bittern


Botaurus lentiginosus

Wingspan: Up to 50"
Length: 24 - 34"
Weight: 1 lb 2 oz to 2 lbs


M/F indistinguishable


Physical Description:

Large and heavy-bodied with relatively long neck tapering to pointed bill.


Most active at dusk and at night.
  American Bittern - Anahuac NWR

American Bittern at Anahuac NWR on the Texas Gulf Coast



American Bittern - Brazoria NWR  
American Bittern at Brazoria NWR on the Texas Gulf Coast

American Bittern - Brazoria NWR


American Bittern - Anahuac NWR

  

Habitat:

Freshwater and brackish marshes and marshy lake shores.

Food:

Frogs, small eels, catfishes, garter snakes, water snakes, salamanders, meadow mice, water scorpions, giant water bugs, dragonflies.

Nesting:

3 - 7 olive eggs on a platform of reeds concealed in the marsh; NOT IN COLONIES. Female selects site and builds nest. She also incubates the eggs for 24 days. Young leave nest in 14 days.



American Bittern - Anahuac NWR

Male Bitterns court female Bitterns by walking and displaying a pair of white fan-like ruffs raised over his back and shoulders.



Whenever threatened, American Bitterns prefer to freeze place rather than flush like most herons.

When an observer is nearby, it will often raise its head, point its bill skyward, and sway from side to side as if imitating waving reeds.

These birds are not hard to find but their protective coloration is so effective they are very easy to overlook.

   American Bittern - Typically camouflaged