American bittern

The breeding range of the American bittern extends from Canada south to the mid-United States, east to the Atlantic Coast, and west to California. During the winter months, bitterns may be found in Mexico and along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts of the United States.

During the breeding season, American bitterns live in wetlands. Nests are usually found near shallow water in dense vegetation up to 3 feet high. Occasionally, wet fields or grasslands containing tall plants serve as nesting habitats. During migration or in winter, bitterns may be found in wetlands, marshes, and grassy fields.

American bitterns feed on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and insects. Hidden by its camouflaged feathers, the bittern stalks prey, standing motionless before striking with its spearlike bill. Bitterns hunt alone. They search for food within marshes or along the shorelines of creeks during the day or at night.

From late April to May, the booming calls of American bitterns echo throughout their breeding marshes. Males and females may form pairs. But males may also mate with several females. Several females may nest within the territory of one male.

The female bittern builds a nest on the ground or on top of a clump of plants. The nest is found several inches over water or mud. Their nests are usually 6 – 10 inches high and 12 – 16 inches wide. They are constructed of low-growing wetland plants and lined with thin grasses. Nests are highly camouflaged. Hidden pathways lead to and from the nest. To hide the nest’s actual location, bitterns land away from the nest and carefully follow a path leading to it. When leaving from the nest, bitterns walk away from the nest before flying.

During May to mid-June, female bitterns lay three to five eggs. The female bittern incubates the eggs for 24 to 29 days. After they hatch, the female cares for the chicks. She feeds them partially digested food, which she coughs up and shares with her young. The young leave the nest at about two weeks of age and stay in the area for an additional two weeks. However, they remain dependent on their mother for food and shelter.

American bittern fall migration occurs from mid-August to late November and peaks from mid-September to late October. Although most bitterns have departed by late November, some individuals remain and winter in New Jersey. Spring migrants are in New Jersey from early March to mid-May.

Before the early 1900s, the American bittern was a fairly common breeding species in New Jersey. By the 1920s, hunting and wetland destruction caused a decrease in bittern populations. However, bitterns remained within suitable habitat throughout the state during the first half of the century. Since the 1950s, habitat loss has occurred at an alarming rate in New Jersey, destroying wetlands critical to breeding American bitterns. Due to population declines and habitat loss, the breeding population of the American bittern was listed as endangered in New Jersey.

Like many species in New Jersey, protecting American bitterns is closely tied with protecting their wetland habitats. Strong environmental laws to protect wetlands from disturbance and development help to protect wetlands and the American bittern.

Because of the secretive nature and patchy distribution of American bitterns, we still have much to learn about their biology and population status. Research needs to be completed to find additional breeding sites, check existing nesting areas, and determine whether the population might be decreasing or increasing.