Least Bittern

Jun 21, 2025 · The Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) is a captivating bird species renowned for its elusive nature and exceptional adaptations to wetland environments across North America. Least bitterns are a small secretive marsh bird averaging 11 - 14 inches (28-36cm) in length with a wingspan of 16 - 18 inches (41-46cm). The crown, back, and tail are a vivid greenish black, while the. Least bitterns are diurnal, solitary and shy birds, living hidden in the thick vegetation of a marsh. On the approach of an intruder, a least bittern will run away instead of flying off, moving low over the tops of. The least bittern (Botaurus exilis) is a small heron, the smallest member of the family Ardeidae found in the Americas. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus. Learn more about Least Bittern from. This diminutive heron is fairly common in its preferred wetland habitat, but secretive and easily overlooked. Tiny size and attractive pattern of orange, black, and.

One of the smallest herons in the world, the least bittern is about as big as a pigeon. It’s nearly impossible to locate when it hides in a cattail marsh. Most see it only in flight. One of the smallest herons in the world, the Least Bittern is adapted for life in dense marshes. Rather than wading in the shallows like most herons, the Least Bittern climbs about in cattails and reeds,. Mar 9, 2023 · The Least Bittern is a very small heron. They have daggerlike bills, long necks that they often keep drawn in, and long legs and toes, giving them a hunched appearance. These birds may. The Least Bittern, among the smallest members of the heron family, is among the most inconspicuous of North American marsh birds. Within suitable habitats, however, it is often neither shy nor rare.