Look for an American Bittern Bird in the Marsh

What Does an American Bittern Look Like?

If you’re birding in a marsh and you think you’re seeing a large reed, look again — your “reed” might be an American bittern! This bird’s brown and white, streaky plumage gives it the ability to blend in well in its chosen habitat. Members of the same bird family as herons and slightly smaller than geese, American bitterns have a thick, long bill with a patch of white along the throat. In flight, look for black feathers on the wings. Males and females are identical.

If you happen to spook one of these marsh birds, you might glimpse its traditional “hiding” pose. When they feet under threat, American bitterns camouflage themselves by sticking their bill straight up in the air. It looks funny to us humans, but it helps them blend in among the marsh vegetation.

Range and Habitat

During warmer months, American bitterns can reliably be found in the northernmost states and into Canada. Their breeding range extends through much of the Northwest, Great Plains, Midwest, and Northeast. When the weather cools, they head for milder climates in the Southeast and in Mexico, with lower numbers out west. Some birds may stay year-round along the coasts.

Spotting an American bittern will usually mean a trip to a shallow freshwater marsh. Once there, be sure to look not in the center of the water, but toward the water’s edge. These birds prefer to linger among the reeds.

Diet: What Do American Bitterns Eat?

American bitterns slowly and quietly hunt for insects, fish, amphibians, and crustaceans. Precise, they are capable of catching dragonflies in midair. To catch prey underwater, they strike suddenly and snag their meal in their bill. Like owls, they regurgitate “pellets” made of materials they can’t digest.

 Nesting Habits

Nests are usually built from dry reeds, lined with grasses, and established among thick cattail patches. It’s likely that the female constructs the nest. The female lays a clutch of two to seven eggs, which are then incubated for about four weeks. Between one and two weeks later, the young leave the nest — but parents continue to feed them for another three to four weeks.

American Bittern Calls and Sounds

Many claim you’re likely to hear this bird before you spot it. With a distinctive, almost humorous song, males “sing” with a noise described as oong-KA-chonk or pump-ER-lunk. The sound is not dissimilar to that of a large rock tossed into water.

Bird sounds courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Sources

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “American Bittern: Life History“
• National Audubon Society, “Field Guide: American Bittern“