The American bittern is a species of wading bird in the heron family. It has a Nearctic distribution, breeding in Canada and the northern and central parts of the United States, and wintering in the U.S. Gulf Coast states, all of Florida into the Everglades, the Caribbean islands and parts of Central America.
Region
North America and Caribbean
Typical Environment
Prefers freshwater marshes with dense emergent vegetation such as cattails, bulrushes, sedges, and reedbeds. Often uses shallow edges, wet meadows, prairie potholes, and beaver wetlands where cover meets open water. Will forage in flooded fields, ricefields, roadside ditches, and occasionally brackish marshes. Nests are concealed platforms built over shallow water within thick vegetation. The species relies on a mosaic of cover and open foraging lanes and avoids heavily disturbed shorelines.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The American bittern is a secretive marsh heron famed for its camouflage and its booming, pump-like call that carries over wetlands. When alarmed, it freezes with bill pointed skyward and sways with the reeds, making it remarkably hard to spot. It breeds across Canada and the northern and central United States and winters from the U.S. Gulf Coast through Florida to the Caribbean and parts of Central America. Habitat loss and wetland degradation are the primary threats.
American bittern, feathers puffed, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
American bittern attempting to hide
American bittern (dead center, head extended) hiding in tall grass, Wakulla Springs State Park
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
slow, steady wingbeats; low, direct flights over marshes
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside of the breeding season and highly territorial in dense marsh. Nests are built by the female in concealed reed beds; the male may defend a small territory near the nest site. Clutch sizes are moderate, and young are semi-altricial and well hidden in vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The primary call is a resonant, pumping series often rendered as ‘oonk-a-choonk’ or ‘pump-er-lunk’ that carries long distances over wetlands. Additional sounds include low grunts and clucks near the nest. Vocal activity is strongest at dawn and dusk in the breeding season.
