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American Bittern
Photos by Bruce
Dayton
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ORDER:
Ciconiiformes
FAMILY: Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, Bitterns - 12
Species)
SPECIES:
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
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American Bittern |
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The American Bittern is a migratory marsh bird of the family Ardeidae. It moves slowly and silently through the marsh vegetation searching for food. It freezes with it's bill pointed upward if it senses trouble. Because of its concealing coloration it blends well into the marsh background. One of its folk names is stake-bird or thunder-pumper because of a territorial male’s booming call in the spring. |
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SIZE |
Medium-sized (24-33”) heron. |
| DESCRIPTION |
Streaked chunky brown heron, light throat and yellow eyes. Sexes are similar in appearance, but male may be larger. |
| NESTING | Clutch size ranges from 2-5 eggs, which are incubated in 25 to 29 days. Nest on the ground or slightly elevated on a mass of vegetation. |
| RANGE | Widely distributed in most states during summer, migrate south during winter. |
| HABITAT | They habitat freshwater bogs, marshes and wet meadows |
| DIET | It feeds in marshes and shallow ponds, eating fish, insects, and reptiles. |
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| American Bittern | |
| Montezuma
National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York |
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| AmBt_048T_008724 | AmBt_048T_028744 |
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| AmBt_048T_008752 | AmBt_048T_008728 |
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| AmBt_048T_028746 | |
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| American
Bittern Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes |
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| INTERESTING FACTS |
| Parasite |
| An organism, which entirely depends on another (its 'host')
for its livelihood. An ectoparasite lives outside its bird's body, while
an endoparasite lives inside. Birds suffer from a wide range of both
types. |
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| The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit. |
NOTE: This site will be updated as time and pictures become available.
Visit Mammals
of North America
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
Updated 10-19-2008
