Pinnated Bittern

Botaurus pinnatus (Wagler, 1829)

812 gWeight

The pinnated bittern (Botaurus pinnatus), also known as the South American bittern, is a large member of the heron family (Ardeidae) found in the New World tropics.

Busiest months: February–March · Most records: Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: February–March · Most records: Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago

Pinnated Bittern has been recorded at 117 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 21 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

Medio Queso wetlandCosta Rica1,367 records
MEX - Veracruz- MInatitlan - Pantano de Santa AlejandrinMexico1,134 records
Camino a Las Barrancas – Km 0-5Mexico223 records

More places

RN Laguna de SonsoColombia201 records
Caroni Rice FieldsTrinidad & Tobago196 records
Nariva SwampTrinidad & Tobago196 records
Arrozais de Tremembé – Estrada do KanegaeBrazil177 records
Laguna del DiarioUruguay172 records
Hato El CedralVenezuela143 records
Arrocera Del ValleNicaragua124 records

Countries and regions with the most records

Costa Rica Mexico Trinidad & Tobago Belize Nicaragua Brazil Colombia Uruguay

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The pinnated bittern (Botaurus pinnatus), also known as the South American bittern, is a large member of the heron family (Ardeidae) found in the New World tropics. Like the other Botaurus bitterns, its plumage is mostly buffy-brown and cryptically patterned. Though it is a widespread species, it is rarely seen – presumably due to its skulking habits – and much about its life history remains little known.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Pinnated Bittern?

The Pinnated Bittern weighs around 812 g.

Where does the Pinnated Bittern live?

Its breeding range: Middle America, South America: eastern Mexico to northeastern Argentina. It is most often recorded in Costa Rica, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago.