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American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
Family: ARDEIDAE
Order: Ciconiiformes
Spanish Common Name: Avetoro norteño
French Common Name: Butor d'Amérique
(c) Sandy Selesky |
Courtesy Kenn Kaufman |
Annual Population Indices |
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Conservation Status
Global Population: 3,000,000
Continental Population: 3,000,000
Watchlist Status: 
Audubon State of the Birds Status: Moderate population declines
The American Bittern, a medium-sized heron inhabiting reed beds, is rarely seen because of its remarkable camouflage. However, it makes its presence known with its booming song, which can be heard long distances away, particularly at dawn or dusk in the spring.
Range & Distribution
The American Bittern breeds in wetlands across much of Canada and the northern half of the United States. It winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
A legend for the range map to the right can be found here.
Population Status & Trends
While a population of just under 3 million individuals sounds large, the American Bittern's range is vast. This bird exists in low density and is declining significantly throughout it range.
An explanation of the Annual Population Indices graph displayed to the right can be found here.
Conservation Issues & Efforts
The Canadian population of the American Bittern appears to be stable. However, in the United States, the situation is very different. The decline of this species may have started as early as the 1890s in some states. Many of the large expanses of shallow marsh that the bittern requires have been lost. A significant portion of the wetlands that remain have been degraded, impacting food resources, nest sites, and in some cases, the bird itself. Agricultural pesticides, acid rain, and silt are probably the main contaminants of these wetlands. The preservation of large, healthy, freshwater marshes is essential to the conservation of this species. Such wetlands must be maintained in both the bird's summer and the winter ranges. In addition, the secretive American Bittern needs to be better studied. Much is still unknown about its biology and behavior.
What You Can Do
For actions you can take, including Audubon activities, please visit our resources page.
For More Information
References
Gibbs, J. P., S. Melvin, and F. A. Reid. 1992. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). In The Birds of North America, No. 18 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union.
Kaufman, Kenn. Lives of North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, 1996.
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