American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
The American Bittern is a rare and occasional visitor to Britain, typically seen during migration periods or as a vagrant, with most sightings occurring in the southern and eastern regions. It is most likely to be spotted in wetland areas, such as marshes and reedbeds, particularly during the spring and autumn.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify American Bittern in the field.
The American Bittern can be identified by its distinctive brown and buff plumage, long neck, and yellow-brown legs, as well as its unique habit of freezing in place with its neck stretched out when threatened. Its streaked throat and breast patches are also key distinguishing features.
The American Bittern is slightly smaller than a Grey Heron, but larger than a Little Egret.
The male American Bittern has a mottled brown and buff plumage with a distinctive black stripe running along the back of its neck, and a streaked throat and breast.
The female American Bittern is similar to the male, with no significant differences in plumage.
The American Bittern's call is a low, booming "oonk-oonk-oonk" sound, often described as sounding like a deep, hollow pump or a low-pitched laugh.
The American Bittern is a secretive and solitary bird, typically feeding at dawn and dusk by wading slowly through wetlands in search of small fish, frogs, and insects, and flying with a slow, deliberate wingbeat.
The American Bittern can be confused with the Eurasian Bittern, but can be distinguished by its more mottled and streaked plumage, as well as its yellow-brown legs, which are darker and more greenish in the Eurasian Bittern.
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