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Least Bittern

Botaurus exilis

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesSmall · 86 g
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 1
Photo: (c) Matt Felperin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Felperin · cc-by
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 2
Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region · Public domain
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 3
Photo: R. Bennetts · Public domain
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 4
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 5
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 6
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 7
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 8
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 9
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis), photo 10
Photo: lwolfartist · CC BY 2.0

ID tip

The least bittern is one of the smallest herons in the world, with perhaps only the dwarf bittern and the black-backed bittern averaging smaller in length. It can measure from 28 to 36 cm (11 to 14 in) in length, and the wingspan ranges from 41 to 46 cm (16 to 18 in). Body mass is from 51 to 102 g (1.8 to 3.6 oz), with most least bitterns weighing between 73 and 95 g (2.6 and 3.4 oz), making this perhaps the lightest of all herons.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

About the Least Bittern

The least bittern is a small heron, the smallest member of the family Ardeidae found in the Americas. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Stripe-backed Bittern (Botaurus involucris) Stripe-backed BitternBotaurus involucrisStripe-backed bitterns are very small, averaging from 28 to 35 cm in length. Black Bittern (Botaurus flavicollis) Black BitternBotaurus flavicollisIt is a medium sized bittern at 54–66 cm (21–26 in) in length. Cinnamon Bittern (Botaurus cinnamomeus) Cinnamon BitternBotaurus cinnamomeusIt is a small bittern at 38 cm (15 in) length.

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