# American Bittern (*Botaurus lentiginosus*) The American Bittern is a secretive bird that likes to hide in tall grasses and wetlands. It has a long neck and a funny way of standing still, making it look like a stick! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![American Bittern](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/American_bittern_in_flight_%2853726569227%29_%28cropped%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USFWS Midwest Region from Midwest Region, United States, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_bittern_in_flight_%2853726569227%29_%28cropped%29.jpg) ## Appearance The American Bittern has streaky brown plumage that perfectly mimics marsh reeds. It possesses bright yellow eyes and a long, sharp bill. Its patterned feathers provide excellent camouflage against its wetland home. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Ardeidae - **Genus:** Botaurus ## Interesting facts - The female American Bittern does all the nesting and raises her chicks alone! - These secretive birds prefer to walk slowly rather than fly when hunting! - They stand perfectly still, bill pointed skyward, to disappear instantly! - They sway their bodies gently to look like wind-blown reeds! ## Special abilities - **Reed Mimicry:** American Bitterns can freeze with their bill pointed skyward, blending seamlessly with surrounding marsh reeds, which helps them hide from predators. - **Quick Strike:** American Bitterns can quickly extend their neck to stab prey with their sharp bill, which helps them catch slippery fish and frogs. - **Booming Bass:** American Bitterns have a unique, low-pitched call resembling a distant pump, which helps them attract mates across vast wetlands. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 59-70 cm - **Wingspan:** 95-115 cm - **Weight:** 0.37-0.65 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 24-29 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding This stealthy hunter mostly eats small fish, frogs, and large insects found in shallow water. - **Primary Foods:** small fish, frogs, salamanders, crayfish, aquatic insects, small snakes - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Green Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-frog) (*Lithobates clamitans*) — A common prey item in its marsh habitat. - **Hunts:** [Yellow Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-perch) (*Perca flavescens*) — Actively preys on small fish in shallow water. - **Hunts:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Eats large dragonflies and other aquatic insects. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Adults and chicks can fall victim to this nocturnal predator. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Mammalian predators, including coyotes, can prey on bitterns. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Bittern? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Bittern? 59-70 cm ### What is American Bittern's wingspan? 95-115 cm ### How much does American Bittern weigh? 0.37-0.65 kg ### How long does American Bittern live? 5-8 years ### How fast can American Bittern move? 40 km/h ### What does American Bittern eat? This stealthy hunter mostly eats small fish, frogs, and large insects found in shallow water. ### Where is American Bittern usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve - [August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/august-a-busch-memorial-conservation-area) — Missouri, US · Nature Reserve - [Seneca River Crossing Canals Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seneca-river-crossing-canals-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-elphinstone-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see American Bittern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-bittern) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [American Bittern: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bittern)