American Bittern Identification

Adult/immature

Medium-sized heron with a long, thick neck and long, pointed bill. Well camouflaged: buffy and brown, with vertical brown stripes on its neck.

Adult

Medium-sized heron with a long, thick neck and long, pointed bill. Note long, black patch that extends from below the eye down the side of the neck.

Adult

Produces a distinctive "pump-er-lunk" call by repeatedly inflating their throat. These low-pitched calls allow American Bitterns to communicate effectively even when blocked by dense vegetation.

Adult

In flight note dark flight feathers, pale coverts, and hunchbacked look.

Adult

Tucks head into a hunch and slowly lifts its feet with toes spread as it walks slowly through open areas in wetlands.

Adults

Almost exclusively occupies freshwater wetlands with tall vegetation year-round. Rarely occupies coastal tidal marshes or coastal areas with low vegetation.

Adult

Note white throat and long, black patch of feathers that extends from below the eye down the side of the neck.

Habitat

Adult/immature

Flying style is similar to most other herons, with the neck retracted and legs trailing out behind, but American Bitterns have hurried and somewhat ungraceful wingbeats.

Adult/immature

When approached by potential predators, American Bitterns attempt to camouflage themselves by pointing their bill upwards, compressing their body feathers, and remaining as still as the surrounding vegetation.