American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | BIRDS & Nature

American Bittern… aka "thunder-pumper", "stake-driver", "mire-drum". Though not often seen, their sounds are commonly heard in the Refuge marshes this time of year. These secretive marshbirds frequent shorelines and vegetation edges that are dominated by tall emergent wetland plants. Their calls - loud, low, resonant, pumping sounds - are used to communicate within the thick vegetation, apparently to defend territory and find mates. This individual was both heard and seen (through a spotting sco

American bittern singing (Botaurus lentiginosus) | BIRDS & Nature

VOLUME UP ‼️ This American Bittern patient was feeling pretty bitter after admission to our rescue center! Patient #422 in 2025. These marsh-dwelling birds are a type of heron. They feed primarily on small fish and other aquatic invertebrates. They are a rare species for us and a difficult bird to spot in the wild. They are heard more often than seen. This bittern was likely on their way up to breeding grounds in the northern US when they were grounded in someone’s backyard in Charlotte, NC. We