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Not Evaluated

Least Bittern

Botaurus exilis

Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists
Birds of CanadaBirds of the United KingdomBirds of the United StatesBirds of ManitobaBirds of New BrunswickBirds of Newfoundland and LabradorBirds of Nova ScotiaBirds of OntarioBirds of Prince Edward IslandBirds of Quebec
By family
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of CanadaHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of the United KingdomHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of the United StatesHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of ManitobaHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of New BrunswickHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of Newfoundland and LabradorHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of Nova ScotiaHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of OntarioHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of Prince Edward IslandHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of Quebec
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The Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America.

We’re still expanding this profile. Verified detail — diet, behaviour, identification and more — is added as our editors and reviewers complete it.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Pelecaniformes
  3. Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
  4. Genus Botaurus
  5. Species exilis

Where it lives

Eastern, southwestern USA to southeastern Brazil

Quick facts

Family
Ardeidae
Order
Pelecaniformes

Biology & behaviour

The Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) is a species of herons, bitterns in the family Ardeidae, order Pelecaniformes. It is found in North America, Central America & Caribbean, South America — e, sw USA to se Brazil.

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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