Monday, March 6, 2017

American Bittern

Hello,


My wild bird this week is the American Bittern, these images are from various visits to the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland Fl. Photos taken Dec 17th and on Jan 15th.

The American Bittern is a large chunky bird. They have rust and cream colored feathers on their throat, breast and upper belly. They a chestnut brown crown. The side of their neck has a bluish-black patch, this patch is longer in the male than the female.


A chubby looking American Bittern. The upper mandible is darker than the lower. Their iris is pale yellow.


Their legs and feet are yellowish-green.






I hope you enjoyed the American Bittern and my photos. Thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.

Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

59 comments:

  1. Hello,

    Beautiful bird! The American Bittern is very pretty.

    Happy Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never seen one of these guys! Like how he is stretched out in the last pic, Eileen!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Eileen! I really enjoyed learning about this bird that I was unaware of before! Your photos of the bittern show their markings and plumage so well!
    Have a happy week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Eileen, your photos of the American Bittern are awesome. I remember when I first saw one. We were in Florida and I didn't know what I was looking at. Never forgot it though. Thank you for sharing these wonderful shots and have a great week :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous photos of this beautiful and magnificent bird, Eileen! I love the colours and patterns! Thank you so much for sharing, and I wish you a wonder filled week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. i have never seen this bird before. the shape resembles the green heron. beautiful captures, they have pretty coloring!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an interesting bird. Lovely colour! Have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What super photos, those feathers sparkle. Love that flower in your header. Pink in every photo there.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hari om
    Gorgeous birdy! Here in UK, the Great Bittern is 'at risk' and there has been much excitement at sightings already this spring... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this bird! Very nice photos. In my language this animal is called: roerdomp.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is pretty and I really like the arrangement of color feathers. Have a nice week. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  12. what beautiful chest feathers he has..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful, the Bittern is excellent, my favourite is number 3, I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ah, I know I've confused these guys for young green herons.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! Another bird I'm not sure I've seen. I went back and looked at my Green heron but I see some differences. I almost wondered if I had got the ID wrong. Love your photos...you are GOOD! Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful shots! I wish there were more of them around here.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks like a large bird..Love the way the feather pattern makes it look striped..

    ReplyDelete
  18. The second one looks like he's just had a big happy meal. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. love your new header shots. happy week to you!! hope you are stay warm. so cold around here. ( ;

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely to see your photo's.
    What amazing colouring this bird has.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  21. A really, very very "pretty bird."

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes, I enjoyed the post and the photos of the American Bittern

    ReplyDelete
  23. I always appreciate the birds I see on your blog. I am always learning about new ones.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great detail on each photo. Strong looking bird. Thanks Eileen.
    Joy

    ReplyDelete
  25. He's an interesting bird and one that's hard to spot. You did well. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Never heard of this one. It's a beauty though. Great photos of him also.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've never seen an American Bittern before. It looks to be an inquisitive bird.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  28. What lovely markings that bird has.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautiful birds !

    Have a nice week !

    ReplyDelete
  30. One of my favorites Eileen. Such great portraits.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ohhhh ..... great to see this wonderful bittern.
    I also hope someday to be able to get right in to picture.
    These photos of you are super!
    Greetings, Helma

    PS I was by crowds forgot to link my post last Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  32. The pattern in those feathers is very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh Honey! What fun to know you

    ReplyDelete
  34. Are't they beautiful. Eileen, your image shares are all stunning, just wonderful work! I wish that I could have seen one again this past journey, but at least I got to see one two years ago. Have a wonderful week~

    ReplyDelete
  35. What an interesting looking critter. Have a great day!
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow! You said the bird is large and chunky, but I wasn't expecting what your final picture showed! This bird looks pretty tall! Extraordinary, and, beautiful! Have a great day, Eileen!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Eileen, I've said this many times but I love seeing your pictures of all of the different birds --while you are in Florida... This guy is gorgeous. I have never seen one before...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  38. What an unusual, but beautiful looking bird. Thank you so much, Eileen, for sharing about it.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Fantastic birds to see. Our bitterns over winter in the reed beds near us and are sometimes impossible to pick out in the reeds.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I like this bird, it's so beautiful! Thanks for showing it to us through your amazing pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  41. another bird that is new to me ; yes I did enjoy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hello Eileen. Your photos are awesome. The American Bittern looking so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Vous vous êtes déguisée en Butor pour réaliser ces magnifiques images de cet oiseau si discret ? ;-)
    Céline & Philippe

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great photos!
    Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Eileen,
    such a fabulous bird with pretty lovely fantastic feathers.
    Best regards, Synnöve

    ReplyDelete
  46. American bittern resembles our Indian pond heron! Great capture

    ReplyDelete
  47. Fabulous shots, Eileen! They are strong looking birds, aren't they!

    ReplyDelete
  48. An interesting looking bird. I don't believe I have ever seen one before.

    ReplyDelete
  49. wonderful sight. It is several years since I was the one we have. Nice to see yours.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh wow - great shots. I only saw a Bittern one time - and it quickly disappeared into the reeds and I didn't get a picture.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I saw a nature program that talked about these birds....lovely captures Eileen...Michelle

    ReplyDelete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day." "T...