Eye to eye with the least bittern

The least bittern outlasted me; frozen in position, beak pointed forward, blending beautifully with its environment, it hoped to become invisible to my eye. That it did not, for I was fascinated first with even seeing this elusive bird, and second with its tenacity to hold its position, conditioned no doubt by millions of forebearers who honed this survival and hunting skill.

I spent 10 minutes marveling at it, standing at the edge of the marsh watching, thinking it would grow tired of me and fly away, but I was the one to depart, respecting its message and space, and at last leaving, not wanting to add to its stress.

The least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) is at home at the Oconto Marsh, which provides the varied wetland habitat and food resources that allow it to thrive. According to the Cornell Labs “All About Birds” website, the least bittern is a very small heron, between a robin and crow in size.

Several key features distinguish it from other herons. It has a hunched back appearance created by pulling in its long neck, a long thick dagger like yellow bill, and its neck and belly sport white and chestnut stripes. The crown and back of males are blackish in color, and dark brown in females. The males also have two white stripes along the back. If agitated, the birds may raise their crown and neck feathers, giving them a striking appearance.

Like other herons, the least bitterns are masters of the hunt, standing motionless, watching the water for prey or slowly stalking their prey, which includes minnows, small snakes, frogs, crayfish, and dragonflies. Least bitterns are especially adapted to hunt in deeper water. They use their long legs and toes, and curved claws, to grasp reeds and hang suspended over the water, patiently awaiting a meal.

The Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America notes two distinctive calls for the least bittern: a short fast gobble, koo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooh call and a harsh cackle, kek-kek-kek-kek. It helps to learn the calls, as you are more likely to hear rather than see this elusive bird.

According to the “All About Birds” website, the least bittern breeding area extends across much of the eastern U.S. except for the Appalachian Mountain range, a few areas of the western U.S., and portions of southern Canada. It winters in wetland areas including coastal areas in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, that the Caribbean Islands.

The Wisconsin DNR classifies the least bittern as a Special Concern species, i.e., a species which appears to have some problem with abundance or distribution. The main goal of this conservation category is to focus attention on the species before it may become listed as threatened or endangered. According to Dave Halfmann of the Wisconsin DNR, protection of quality wetlands such as those found at the Oconto Marsh is important to the conservation of the species.

It is getting easier to see birds at the Oconto Marsh. With fall upon us, some of the trees and shrubs where they perch are bare of leaves, revealing them (like the least bittern I saw) in all their glory. Look for this bird at the marsh or in a wetland near you. And if you learn its distinctive call, it’s almost as exciting hearing one as seeing one.

Cathy Carnes of Oconto is a retired U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologist who volunteers with Bird City Oconto.