American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
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Least Concern
Wingspan
54.2 cm
Weight
734.75 g
Family
Ardeidae
Order
Pelecaniformes
About
The American Bittern is a large heron weighing about 735 g with a 54.2 cm wingspan, inhabiting freshwater marshes and reed beds across North America. When threatened, it freezes with bill pointed skyward, its streaked brown plumage blending remarkably with marsh vegetation.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 54.2 cm | 21.3 in |
| Weight | 734.75 g | 25.92 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 28-29 days. Fledging: 14 days.
Clutch Size
2-7
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons) |
| Family | Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets) |
| Genus | Botaurus |
| Species | Botaurus lentiginosus |
Distribution
American Bittern has been recorded in 4 countries.
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Present
Not recorded
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Bittern endangered?
The American Bittern has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the American Bittern nest?
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 28-29 days. Fledging: 14 days.
How big is the American Bittern?
The American Bittern has a wingspan of 54.2 cm, weight of 734.75 g.
What order and family does the American Bittern belong to?
The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) belongs to the order Pelecaniformes and the family Ardeidae.
Similar Birds
Other species in the Ardeidae family
Agami Heron
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Near Threatened
Ascension Night-heron
Nycticorax olsoni
Not Evaluated
Australasian Bittern
Botaurus poiciloptilus
Vulnerable
Australian Little Bittern
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Least Concern
Bare-throated Tiger-heron
Tigrisoma mexicanum
Least Concern
Bermuda Night Heron
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Extinct
Black Bittern
Ixobrychus flavicollis
Least Concern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Least Concern