American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | BIRDS & Nature

American bittern singing (Botaurus lentiginosus) | BIRDS & Nature

Has anyone else heard any booming sounds coming from their local marsh? Our bird project learder Doug Morin tells us more: "This is a male American Bittern, performing it’s vocalization – sometimes called “booming.” Bitterns are a highly camouflaged and secretive species that inhabit dense shallow marshes. The strong, low-pitched “booming” call is important because it carries a long distance, allowing competing males and interested females to know where the displaying bird is, despite their habi

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

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