Photo: Cláudio D. Timm on Flickr / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Pinnated Bittern
Botaurus pinnatus
Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 14 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Central America & Caribbean and South America. Adults weigh 812 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Botaurus
- Species pinnatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 812 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Pinnated Bittern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Pinnated Bittern is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) is a member of the Ardeidae family, within the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean and South America. Its distribution covers MA, SA e Mexico to ne Argentina.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 812 g, with a wing length of about 29.8 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Pinnated Bittern?
The Pinnated Bittern is a large bird that weighs around 812 g.
Where does the Pinnated Bittern live?
The Pinnated Bittern is found across Central America & Caribbean and South America with a range covering MA, SA e Mexico to ne Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Pinnated Bittern belong to?
The Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Pinnated Bittern eat?
The Pinnated Bittern hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Pinnated Bittern migrate?
The Pinnated Bittern is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Pinnated 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.
What sound does the Pinnated Bittern make?
1 real field recording of the Pinnated Bittern — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Pinnated Bittern's range?
The Pinnated Bittern has a mapped global range of about 2.3 million km².
Conservation
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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