Herons · Pelicans and herons
Eurasian Bittern
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Botaurus stellaris
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Voice
Call
Max Karlsson
Song
Camille Vacher
Song
Camille Vacher
How to recognize it
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Large, stocky heron with buff-brown plumage and dark streaks
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Dark crown and back; pale buff edge to feathers
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Usually hidden in reeds; freezes upright with bill pointed up
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Deep spring boom, bull-like and far carrying
About the species
The Eurasian Bittern is usually hidden in reeds and other thick cover, so it is easy to miss. When it freezes with its neck stretched upright, it blends into the stems and almost disappears.
It is a shy, secretive hunter that prefers to stay still rather than show itself. In spring the male gives away its presence with a deep, far-carrying boom, most often heard at dusk, at night, or early in the morning.
It lives around standing water and slow-moving wetlands with dense reedbeds. It feeds mainly on fish, and also takes frogs, newts, aquatic insects, and other small prey; some populations stay through winter, while others move south.
Where to find
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Along reed-fringed pond edges, canals, and still backwaters — in spring, the male gives away its deep booming call from the reeds.
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In old marshy corners of the city and on wet meadows with tall sedges — by day it stands motionless, neck stretched up between the stems.
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At flooded vacant lots and drainage ditches — feeding in shallow water at dawn and dusk.
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In large reedbeds by rivers or lakes — more often heard than seen, especially on warm evenings.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Botaurus stellaris Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Eurasian bittern Encyclopedia article