Pinnated Bittern

The Pinnated Bittern, or Botaurus pinnatus, is a large and elusive member of the heron family, Ardeidae, that graces the New World tropics with its presence. This bird is adorned with a buffy-brown plumage that is intricately patterned to provide excellent camouflage within its environment.

Identification Tips

Adult Pinnated Bitterns measure between 64 to 76 cm in length and weigh from 554 to 1,157 grams, with males being the heavier sex. Both sexes share a similar plumage, though females are slightly smaller and have brown rather than black tail feathers. The bird's throat is a pristine white, while the foreneck is streaked with pale brown. The back is a rich buff with black streaks and bars, and the wings display a striking two-toned effect in flight. The bill is robust, primarily yellow with a dusky upper mandible, and the legs are a greenish-yellow, complementing the yellow iris.

Habitat

The Pinnated Bittern can be found in a variety of freshwater environments, from dense reed beds and lake borders to marshes and overgrown ditches. It favors areas with tall sedges, water hyacinth, rushes, reeds, or cattails, and may also be found in rice and sugarcane plantations.

Distribution

This species has a broad range, extending from the Atlantic slope of southeastern Mexico down to northern Argentina. It is mainly found in lowland areas but has been spotted as high as 2,600 meters above sea level in the Colombian Cordillera Oriental.

Behaviour

The Pinnated Bittern is predominantly nocturnal and tends to be a solitary creature. It exhibits a remarkable behavior when startled, freezing in place with its body low and head raised just enough to survey its surroundings. It is known to flush only when approached closely.

Song & Calls

When disturbed, the Pinnated Bittern emits a coarse rawk-rawk-rawk. During the breeding season, males produce a resonant booming call, a deep poonk or poonkoo, which can be heard at dusk and throughout the night.

Breeding

The Pinnated Bittern breeds solitarily, constructing a nest of rush stems or similar materials amidst dense vegetation near water. The female lays two to three olive-brown eggs and is believed to be solely responsible for their incubation. Breeding typically occurs during the wet season.

Diet and Feeding

A patient and stealthy hunter, the Pinnated Bittern's diet is diverse, including fish, eels, reptiles, amphibians, chicks, arthropods, molluscs, worms, and even small mammals. It often stands motionless, waiting for prey to come within striking distance.

Conservation status

Despite the lack of detailed population estimates, the Pinnated Bittern's extensive range has earned it a classification of Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of decline.