Birds of Zion National Park

The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae.
Although common in much of its range, the American Bittern is usually well-hidden in bogs, marshes and wet meadows. Usually solitary, it walks stealthily among cattails or bulrushes. If it senses that it has been seen, the American Bittern becomes motionless, with its bill pointed upward, causing it to blend into the reeds. It is most active at dusk. More often heard than seen, this bittern has a call that resembles a congested pump.
The long, thick bill enables the taking of a variety of large and small prey (Kushlan 1978), a conclusion supported by analyses of stomach contents. Based on 160 specimens (133 with food remains) collected throughout North America, stomach contents included insects (23%, including many Odonates), frogs and salamanders (21%), fish (21%, including catfish, sunfish, yellow perch, suckers, killifishes, and sticklebacks), crayfish (19%), mice and shrews (10%), snakes (5%), and small quantities of crabs, spiders, and unidentified invertebrates (Cottam and Uhler 1945). Nine stomachs from Pennsylvania contained fish, frogs, crayfish, watersnakes, snails, beetles, and grasshoppers (Warren 1890). Have been observed intercepting dragonflies in midair (Dudones 1983).
Many of the folk names[citation needed] are given for its distinctive call made by inhaling and exhaling large quantities of air; E. Choate[7] lists "Bogbumper" and "Stake Driver". Pliny likened the old-world bittern's call to the roaring of a bull, "boatum tauri", whence the generic name Botaurus
The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is protected under the United States Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. [1] It is also protected under the Canadian Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994. less ↑