Bittern Bird Information
Bittern bird is a large, secretive heron of dense reedbeds; more often heard than seen. Characteristic booming sounds more like distant foghorn than the bird.
Heavily camouflaged in shades of brown and buff; spends most of life hidden among reeds. Bittern bird is seen by chance during excursions across open areas, or in occasional flights with head tucked back and legs trailing behind. Close views reveal delicate plumage details as well as black crown and moustachial streak. Bittern bird has greenish-yellow Legs.
Status: decidedly scarce, breeding regularly only in East Anglia and Lancashire. Some winter wandering and immigration from the Continent.
Similar Species: rare Purple Heron also appears brownish in flight.
Bird Facts
| Type | heron-like |
| Size | 70-80 cm (27-31 in) |
| Habitat | freshwater marshes |
| Behavior | wades, take off and lands on the ground |
| Flocking | solitary |
| Flight | labored |
| Voice | deep, far-carrying urrwoomp, repeated |
Bittern Bird Identification
| Adult | |
| Crown | black |
| Upperparts | brown and black, streaked |
| Rump | buff and brown, streaked; |
| Tail | buff and brown, streaked; short and rounded |
| Throat | white |
| Breast | buff and brown, streaked |
| Belly | buff and brown, streaked |
| Bill | yellow; straight and thin |
| Legs | greenish-yellow, medium length |
Bird Breeding
| Nest | a platform of twigs, reeds on the ground |
| Eggs | 3-4; pale greenish-blue |
| Incubation | 21 days |
| Young | helpless; downy |
| Fledging | 6 weeks |
| Broods | 1, sometimes 2; April-May |
| Food | fish, amphibians |
| Population | less than 20 pairs |