You may not spot this secretive bird camouflaged amongst the tall marsh vegetation, and even if you do, one thing is for sure – you won’t forget the unusual sounds of its calls. Known for its remarkable camouflage and distinctive calls, the American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) inhabits freshwater marshes across North America and can be sparsely found throughout western Riverside County. However, it is more likely you will hear the strange sounds of this elusive bird before you may (emphasis on “may”) find it hiding within freshwater marshes surrounded by dense beds of cattails and rushes.

Hiding from predators is easy for the bittern, when spotted or approached, they strategically freeze in place rather than fleeing, relying on its streaked plumage to blend in with the surrounding reeds and grasses. They will modify their stance and stretch their neck and bill upward, mimicking the appearance of tall vegetation. As a wading bird in the heron family, these medium-sized waterfowl sport a long dagger-like bill. Standing motionless as they await their prey, the bird will skillfully grasp its meal with a quick and precise strike of its bill. American bitterns feed on a diet consisting of insects, amphibians, fish, small mammals, small snakes, and birds in their travels across the wetlands of western Riverside County.

The American bittern has been observed using Core Areas (large habitats within the reserve that have the resources to support the species) including the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Santa Ana River/Prado Basin and Collier Marsh.

American bittern are solitary birds except during the breeding season. They are single-brooded, meaning they only produce offspring once a year and will lay a clutch of 3-5 eggs that will undergo about 24-days of incubation. Unlike some of their avian counterparts, the American bittern prefers to stay close to the ground in contrast to perching high among the trees. Nests can be typically found floating in shallow water or on the ground, with eggs present sometime between April and July. Their hatchlings are solely tended to by the female and stay in the nest for about two weeks before they explore the marsh on their own.

While little information is available on the American bittern’s life span, one bird has been recorded to live at least 8 years. Factors such as predation, habitat destruction, and environmental conditions significantly influence their survival rates. The MSHCP has identified and described for conservation approximately 410 acres of freshwater marsh as suitable habitat for the American bittern.