They winter in the southern U.S. down to Mexico and the Caribbean. They breed in summer in wetlands across most of the U.S. and Canada.
They are found in marshy wetlands.
They are mottled brown with a black cheek streak and long, pointed beak. They can be more than 2 feet tall.
They are very shy and hide in tall plants, standing with head pointed up to blend in with the reeds. They are active at night (nocturnal). They live alone.
They eat mostly fish or other wetland life, like frogs, crabs and insects.
They lay 4-6 eggs.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vetebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelicaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Botaurus
Species: B. lentiginosus
When you research information you must cite the reference. Citing for websites is different from citing from books, magazines and periodicals. The style of citing shown here is from the MLA Style Citations (Modern Language Association).
When citing a WEBSITE the general format is as follows.
Author Last Name, First Name(s). "Title: Subtitle of Part of Web Page, if appropriate." Title: Subtitle: Section of Page if appropriate. Sponsoring/Publishing Agency, If Given. Additional significant descriptive information. Date of Electronic Publication or other Date, such as Last Updated. Day Month Year of access < URL >.
Amsel, Sheri. "Bittern (American)" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2024. November 25, 2024
< http://exploringnature.org/db/view/209 >