American Bittern vs Ascension Night-heron

Botaurus lentiginosus compared with Nycticorax olsoni

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute American Bittern Ascension Night-heron
Scientific Name Botaurus lentiginosus Nycticorax olsoni
Order Pelecaniformes Pelecaniformes
Family Ardeidae Ardeidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan 54.2 cm (21.3 in)
Weight 734.75 g (25.92 oz) 624.57 g (22.03 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-7 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

American Bittern only

Ascension Night-heron only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

American Bittern

Not Evaluated

Ascension 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.

Ascension Night-heron

The Ascension Night-heron was a flightless heron known from subfossil remains on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. Weighing an estimated 624g, it was likely driven to extinction by human activity and introduced predators. It is currently listed as Not Evaluated by conservation assessments.

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