The Eurasian bittern (or Botaurus stellaris), also known as the great bittern, is a large species of heron found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It inhabits dense reedbeds and freshwater wetlands with abundant vegetation.
Covered in streaked brown plumage, the Eurasian bittern has a stocky body, a thick neck, and a strong, pointed bill, giving it a bulky appearance compared to other herons.
Adults typically measure 27.6in to 32.4in tall, with a wingspan of 40in to 52in and weigh between 1.914lb and 4.18lb. Males may be slightly larger than females.
Eurasian bitterns are solitary birds, although will tolerate other individuals outside of the mating season. Unlike many bird species, they do not form lasting pairs during the breeding season and part ways soon after mating.
Enrichments
Food-Based Enrichments
Bamboo Feeder
Block of Frozen Fish
Slow Feeder
Habitat Enrichments
Platform Floats
Mirror Mobile
Sprinkler
Rattle
Tennis Ball
Conservation Topics
Wetland Ecosystem Ambience
Crepuscular Behavior
Habitat Loss
Carnivore Diet
Bird Evolution
Eurasian Bittern Fact Sheet
Flying Animals
Lives of Birds Talk
Ecological Restoration
Eurasian Bittern Name Plate
Lifecycle
Eurasian bitterns are solitary birds, although will tolerate other individuals outside of the mating season. Unlike many bird species, they do not form lasting pairs during the breeding season and part ways soon after mating.
The breeding season for Eurasian bitterns is from late winter to early spring. During this time, the male establishes a territory within a large reed bed and defends it with his characteristic ‘boom’ call, both to attract females and warn off rival males. He may mate with up to 5 females entering his territory in one season.
Following mating, the female builds a nest out of last year’s standing reeds, sedges and stems, creating a shallow floating platform at the water’s edge. Here, she lays a clutch of 3 to 6 eggs. Females are the sole carer for offspring, and after egg-laying, incubation lasts approximately 25 to 28 days. Chicks usually hatch several days apart and then remain in the nest for 2 weeks. After this, they leave the nest and disperse into the surrounding reedbed environment but are still provisioned for by their mother. The chicks fledge fully and gain flight capability at around 6 to 8 weeks of age.
Following fledging, the young gradually become independent, though throughout this time the female continues to provide food (often regurgitated prey) until the juveniles can feed themselves entirely. Eurasian bitterns reach sexual maturity at 1 year old.
Statistics
Litter Size
3-6
Gestation / Incubation Period
0 months
Interbirth Period
12 months
Reproduction Difficulty
Easy
Age Of Sexual Sterility
Death
Age Of Sexual Maturity
1 years
Juvenile1 years
Adult7 years
Elderly3 years
Animal Facts
Eurasian bitterns mainly eat fish, amphibians, insects, and small mammals, catching them with quick thrusts of their dagger-like bill.
The male Eurasian bittern’s deep, foghorn-like boom call can be heard from up to 3 miles away.
The male Eurasian bittern’s distinctive call is produced by inflating its esophagus to act like a resonating chamber. It is one of the most distinctive bird sounds in Europe.
The Eurasian bittern’s streaked brown and buff plumage blends perfectly with reed stems, making it almost invisible when standing motionless with its bill pointing upward.
The Eurasian bittern was almost completely extinct in the UK in the late 19th century, but habitat restoration projects have led to a strong recovery.
Conservation
While today a species of Least Concern, the Eurasian bittern does face fragmentation and degradation of their reedbed and wetland habitat. They rely on dense, tall stands of reeds over shallow water for feeding, breeding and shelter. However, many wetlands have been drained for urban or agricultural expansion, and reedbeds have been fragmented or allowed to become unsuitable through neglect. Additionally, environmental pollution, human disturbance of nesting sites, and the effects of climate change further affect bittern populations.
Major conservation efforts focused on environmental restoration are delivering promising results in parts of their range. For example, in the UK, large-scale reedbed creation and restoration is helping to reverse a dramatic decline in wetland ecosystems and thus available bittern habitat. In mainland Europe, bitterns also benefit from programs focused on habitat restoration, water-level management, and public awareness campaigns about protection of these sensitive ecosystems.
These protective efforts have helped near-extinct bittern populations to recover, and, if maintained, will help keep this species stable in the wild.
Native Range
Europe, Asia, Africa
Statistics
Wild Population
184,000 - 310,000
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Valid Reserves
Poland Reserve
Valid Release Group Types
Female Bachelor Herd
Solitary Male
Breeding Partners
Are you ready to run a zoo?
Prove your knowledge and create a personalised certificate endorsed by the Fauna & Ecosystems Network for the Eurasian Bittern.
Planet Zoo 2 is in active development and the Zoopedia reflects this work in progress. Text, images, stats etc. are not necessarily final and may change or be expanded upon.
Bamboo Feeder
Block of Frozen Fish
Slow Feeder
Platform Floats
Mirror Mobile
Sprinkler
Rattle
Tennis Ball
