American Bittern

American Bittern, cryptic behavior

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American Bittern, Florida, January

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Range
4. Other Names

A stocky and well-camouflaged heron of dense reed beds, the American Bittern is difficult to see. Its far-carrying booming call is distinctive, but the bittern itself likes to keep under cover.

Description

• Size: 60-85 cm (24-33 in)
• Wingspan: 92 cm (36 in)
• Weight: 370-500 g (13.06-17.65 ounces)

• Medium-sized, stocky heron.
• Thick neck and bill.
• Colored in brown, tan, and white stripes.

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Immature

Similar to adult.

Sound

A deep pumping "oong-ka-choonk."

Range

Range Map

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

About the map

Summer Range

Breeds in wetlands across most of the United States and Canada.

Winter Range

Winters from the southern United States southward into Mexico and the Caribbean.

Other Names

Butor d¿Amérique (French)
Torcomón, Avetoro lentiginoso (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

Gibbs, J. P. , S. Melvin, and F. A. Reid. 1992. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). In The Birds of North America, No. 18 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists¿ Union.