Kushlan, J. Least Bitterns often clamber amongst wetland vegetation by clinging to reeds and cattails with their feet. Range and Habitat Possibly the most famous aspect of bittern behavior is the stance it assumes when it perceives a threat. It points its bill skyward, elongates its body, and even sways with the breeze, all to blend in with its reedy surroundings. var sc_project=965006; American Bittern: Breeds from southeastern Alaska, Manitoba, and Newfoundland south to California, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. It hunts during the day, especially at dawn or dusk. Spends winters from coastal British Columbia and the west coast to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and south to Costa Rica (rarely) and Greater Antilles. Sometimes nests in wet meadows, wet grassy fields, or drier fields near water. The upperside of the bird is brown finely speckled with black. Paul A. Johnsgard. It usually hunts by walking stealthily in shallow water and among the vegetation, stalking its prey, but sometimes it stands still in ambush. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. Juvenile night-herons have white spots or streaks on upperparts, lack black neck slashes, have thicker bills, and lack black primaries and secondaries. Indigestible parts of prey animals are regurgitated as pellets.Back to top. Definition of the noun american bittern. Helpless, covered with yellow-green down; pinkish-tan black-tipped bill; pink mouth, light olive eyes. American Bitterns are solitary foragers, standing motionless or walking slowly with outspread toes in search of food. Version 1019 Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory 2019. The American bittern relies on camouflage coloration to protect it from predators. Peter E. Lowther, Alan F. Poole, James P. Gibbs, Scott M. Melvin, and F. A. Reid Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020 Text last updated April 1, 2009 var sc_security="340ce72a"; American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); Palmer (Ed., 1962, Handbook of North American birds, vol. Sauer, J. R., D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski Jr., K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. It walks slowly and stealthily. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, editor). 1, New Haven, Yale Univ. American Bittern Information. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA. Incubation is by female only, 24-28 days. An American bittern is a solitary forager, standing motionless or slowly walking with outspread toes as it searches for food. var sc_https=1; var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? It is a stout heron, with mottled buff-brown plumage. Behavior - The American Bitterns are almost always solitary and can be difficult to see. You'll need sharp eyes to catch sight of an American Bittern. American Bitterns usually forage in dim light, at shorelines and the fringes of vegetated areas. May forage at any time of day or night, perhaps most actively at dawn and dusk. A. and A. S. Love. This streaky, brown and buff heron can materialize among the reeds, and disappear as quickly, especially when striking a concealment pose with neck stretched and bill pointed skyward. More than half the original wetlands in the lower 48 states have already been destroyed, and inland freshwater wetlands—the American Bittern’s most important nesting and wintering grounds—are among the most threatened. Competing males hunker down and approach each other while displaying white plumes between their shoulders. Longevity records of North American birds. American Bitterns usually build their nests among thick stands of cattails, bulrushes, and sedges that grow out of shallow water. It is mainly nocturnal and is most active at dusk. Are you ready to 'Be a Better Birder' and get access to additional, exclusive learning tools? Possibly its most famous behavior is its stance when it feels threatened. Each species account is written by leading ornithologists and provides detailed information on bird distribution, migration, habitat, diet, sounds, behavior, breeding, current population status, and conservation. : "http://www. Abstract. American Bittern: On breeding grounds, makes a loud pumping sound, "oong-KA-chunk", repeated a few times, audible for half a mile or more. An adult bittern carries food back to their young by first swallowing it for easy transport, then, stimulated by the young bird’s begging behavior (read the notes below) the adult regurgitates while the young jams its bill down the parents throat to receive the meal. On dense marsh ground above water., Mud in tall vegetation. Copulatory Behavior of the American Bittern [Short Communications] By Paul A. Johnsgard. Sexes are similar. American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, breeding range, dispersal, Everglades, Louisiana coast, migration, Platform Transmitter Terminals, winter range. hallmark of the American bittern, has earned the species its alias, “thunder pumper.” Although bitterns may call throughout the night, vocal activity is greatest at dawn and dusk. In winter they move to areas where water bodies don't freeze, especially near the coast, where they occasionally use brackish marshes. Version 2.07.2017. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. The undersides are heavily streaked with brown and white. : "http://www. Describes the copulatory behavior of the American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, with line-drawings. Juvenile is similar but with dark brown neck slashes. Its neck can be held in to appear short and sturdy, or extended to look long and slender. GA This article has been rated as GA-Class on the project's quality scale. With its entire life cycle dependent on wetlands, the bittern’s fate is inextricably linked to that of its frequently degraded or developed habitat. Nevertheless, they are designated as high concern by Waterbird Conservation of the Americas. The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. A foraging bird may sway its neck, perhaps to see past glare from the surface of shallow water, or to warm up its muscles for a quick strike. They hunt during the day and especially at dawn and dusk. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966–2015. She builds a mound or platform about 3.5 to 8 inches above the water’s surface, using dead, dry reeds, sedges, cattails, or other vegetation, and lines the nest with fine grasses. Please do not substitute this template. Juvenile is similar but with dark brown neck slashes. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, USA. Males and females have little to do with each other apart from copulation, although a female may nest near a "booming" male as a way of distracting predators from her brood. 3-5, sometimes 2-7. var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-129491-1"); Waterbird conservation for the Americas: The North American waterbird conservation plan, version 1. Throat is white with black slashes on sides of neck. Its upperparts are solid brown, with darker outer wings. A second nesting attempt by an American Bit- tern was observed on Agassiz National Wildlife Ref- uge on 8 July 1996. Forages mostly by standing still at edge of water, sometimes by walking slowly, capturing prey with sudden thrust of bill. Coupled declines of the bittern and its habitat were recorded in Massachusetts as early as the 1890s. This pose is so ingrained that bitterns sometimes adopt it even when they’re out in the open. The names refer to the bittern's call, a deep resonant oonk-a-lunk, which has been likened to the bellowing of a bull or a hydraulic machine. Flight call is a low "kok-kok-kok.". The American bittern is a solitary bird and often retains itself well-hidden and is tough to watch. Behavior. "); When startled, the bittern assumes what is perhaps it most characteristic stance: standing . This information provides insight into American Bittern fecundity by showing that ad- ditional reproductive capability exists when nests are Insects make up a substantial portion of the American bittern’s diet. Throat is white with black slashes on sides of neck. Washington, DC, USA. Issue: 4 (October-December) ... North American Birds; Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology; Ohio Cardinal; Ontario Birds; Oriole; Ornithological Ephemera; Ornithological Monographs; Frequently consumed fish include eels, catfish, pickerel, sunfish, suckers, perch, killifish, and sticklebacks. Managed wetlands such as wildlife refuges seem to be important for wintering American Bitterns. It often hunts by strolling stealthily in shallow water and among the many vegetation, stalking its prey, however generally it stands nonetheless in ambush. The American bittern is a solitary bird and usually keeps itself well-hidden and is difficult to observe. document.write("