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Photo: Mark S Jobling / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Little Bittern

Botaurus minutus

Little Bittern (Botaurus minutus) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Europe & Northern Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 19 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists
Birds of GermanyBirds of SpainBirds of FranceBirds of the United KingdomBirds of IrelandBirds of IndiaBirds of KenyaBirds of the NetherlandsBirds of PortugalBirds of Tanzania
By family
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of SpainHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of FranceHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of the United KingdomHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of IrelandHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of IndiaHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of KenyaHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of the NetherlandsHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of PortugalHerons, Egrets & Bitterns of Tanzania
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The Little Bittern (Botaurus minutus) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)
LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Southern, central Europe to central Asia, northwestern India and Africa

Quick facts

Family
Ardeidae
Order
Pelecaniformes

Biology & behaviour

The Little Bittern (Botaurus minutus) belongs to the Ardeidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL, AF s, c Europe to c Asia, nw India and Africa.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Little Bittern live?

The Little Bittern is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL, AF s, c Europe to c Asia, nw India and Africa.

What family does the Little Bittern belong to?

The Little Bittern (Botaurus minutus) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.

Is the Little Bittern endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Conservation

Least Concern

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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