The least bittern is most readily identified in flight by conspicuous, chestnut-colored wing patches. Least bitterns are diurnal, solitary and shy birds, living hidden in the thick vegetation of a marsh. Nest site is in dense marsh (especially bulrushes) above shallow water, occasionally on dry ground. Nesting is complicated by parasitic tendencies, typically laying eggs in nests … Nesting. THE AMERICAN BITTERN SEASON BY SEASON. The American bittern is a protected species under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. TV News. Male bitterns may be polygamous (more than 1 mate) and often have several females nesting separately within their territory. This bittern uses resounding calls to communicate within the thick vegetation that dominates its nesting habitats. Courtship displays not well known; male may hold head low and fluff out white feathers on sides. The American Bittern has a remarkable, though rarely seen, courtship display. The adult Green Heron has a dark rufous neck, gray belly, and dark, iridescent, greenish-blue back. The upper mandible of the bill is dark, and the legs are bright orange. First Described Renesting Attempt by an American Bittern David A. Azure,s'6 Wayne L. Brininger,2 John E. Toepfer,3 Gary Huschle,4 and Richard D. Crawford5 ABSTRACT.-Most life history traits of the Amer- ican Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) have not been studied and are … Both members of the pair engage in a complicated aerial display flight. FEEDING HABITS: American Bitterns will eat insects, amphibians, small fish, small mammals, ... once reaching their breeding grounds form pair bonds and begin nesting around April-May.
Upperparts are streaked brown and buff and underparts are white with brown streaks. One subspecies, the Florida salt marsh vole (M. p. dukecampbelli), is found in Florida, and is classified as endangered.
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. American Bitterns usually build their nests among thick stands of cattails, bulrushes, and sedges that grow out of shallow water. One of the smallest herons in the world, adapted for life in dense marshes. Less commonly, they nest on dry ground, in grassland areas dense with tall herbaceous plants. With its secretive habits and relatively impenetrable habitat, the Least Bittern is one of North America’s most poorly known species. In the sloughs and meadows near Crane Lake, Sasketchewan, we found the American bittern nesting among the cat-tail flags and among the bulrushes (Scirpus lacustris). Throat is white with black slashes on sides of neck. You'll need sharp eyes to catch sight of an American Bittern. Strong direct flight with deep rapid wing beats. Open Library. Swamps, wet meadows, alder and willow thickets are its preferred habitat. The American bittern prefers wetlands that provide both feeding and nesting resources (Gibbs and Melvin 1992). Comments for all niche requirement fields: Code Comment; 00120: Seem to prefer cattail, bulrush, and sedge *15,16,17,18*. Occupy Wall Street TV NSA Clip Library. The juvenile has a brown-and-white streaked neck, slight crest on its dark head, and prominently light-tipped wing coverts. The species is in decline due to the disappearance of wetlands. American Libraries Canadian Libraries Universal Library Community Texts Project Gutenberg Biodiversity Heritage Library Children's Library. American Bittern: Medium, secretive, heron-like wading bird with stout body and neck, and relatively short legs. Limited research suggests that the females choose the nest sites. The male arches his back, exposing whitish plumes, shortens his neck, dips his breast forward, and "booms" at the female. The American Bittern is a migratory nesting bird. Pair formation takes place in early May when females arrive at the nesting area. These calls have an eerie, ventriloquistic quality, and many vernacular names for this species, including “stake-driver,” “thunder-pumper,” and “mire-drum,” alludes to these calls. They also have been known to lay eggs in the nests of American Bittern, and even of the predatory Northern Harrier! Nests are small platforms made in dense emergent vegetation, often in cattails, bulrushes, and sedges. Ducks in general often lay eggs in the nests of others, but the Redhead carries this to extremes. Its narrow body allows it to slip through dense, tangled vegetation with ease. The American Bittern lives in the tall reeds and grasses of freshwater and brackish marshes. Males have a darker back than females. Bulky nest is built up of dead vegetation and anchored to standing growth, lined with down. Nest: Site is usually in dense marsh growth above shallow water, sometimes on dry ground among dense grasses. Spring. The American Bittern is often classified as an obligate wetland species. This migratory species arrives on Canadian breeding grounds between late April and late May; by mid-May, calling and nesting begin. Male defends nesting territory by advertising presence with "booming" calls. Some females may be entirely parasitic, never incubating their own eggs.