American Bittern vs Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Botaurus lentiginosus compared with Nyctanassa violacea
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Bittern | Yellow-crowned Night-Heron |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Botaurus lentiginosus | Nyctanassa violacea |
| Order | Pelecaniformes | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae | Ardeidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 54.2 cm (21.3 in) | 56.8 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 734.75 g (25.92 oz) | 703.75 g (24.82 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-7 | 2-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
American Bittern only
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron only
Conservation Status
American Bittern
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
About These Birds
American Bittern
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.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is a medium-sized heron of the family Ardeidae found throughout the Americas. It is the sole member of its genus and differs structurally and behaviorally from the Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). Adults are elegantly patterned with a blue-gray body, black and white facial pattern, a pale yellow to cream crown, and long white plumes trailing from the head in breeding plumage. The bill is stout and relatively thick compared to other herons, an adaptation for …