Least Bittern Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
American Bittern
Adult/immature
American Bitterns are much larger than Least Bitterns. They stand in wetland marshes, whereas Least Bitterns typically cling to marsh vegetation.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, October 11, 2009Similar Species
Green Heron
Adult
The back and wings on Green Herons are uniform greenish, whereas Least Bitterns have straw-colored wings that contrast with a darker back. Green Heron has a chestnut neck unlike the Least Bittern's straw-colored neck.
© Simon Best | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, May 12, 2017Similar Species
Green Heron
Juvenile
Juvenile Green Herons have a chestnut neck and spotting on their wings, whereas Least Bitterns have a straw-colored neck and unspotted wings. Green Herons are larger than Least Bitterns.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, August 11, 2017Similar Species
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Juvenile
Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons are much larger than Least Bitterns with a fatter bill.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 19, 2016Similar Species
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Juvenile
Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are larger than Least Bitterns with a thicker bill. They also have more streaking and spotting on the back than Least Bitterns.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 25, 2017Main Species
Least Bittern
Adult male
Small heron with a long, pointed yellow bill and hunchbacked appearance. Males have a dark green, almost black crown and back. Neck is striped chestnut and white.
© Myles McNally | Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 28, 2018Adult female
Small heron with a long, pointed yellow bill and hunchbacked appearance. Females have a dark brown back and crown.
© Brad Imhoff | Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 15, 2020Adult male
Flies with neck tucked and feet trailing behind. Flight feathers are dark.
© Jonah Benningfield | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, July 06, 2018Juvenile
Juveniles look like females, but with a paler and browner crown and back and bolder stripes on the neck.
© Robin Hood | Macaulay LibraryOntario, September 20, 2020Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Ardeidae)
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