These first three images are some of the still-fuzzy Least Bittern fledglings that were clambering about in the marsh last week – tiny little white feathers still popping through their dark chestnut plumage. The nest was hidden out of view of the boardwalk, so it’s unclear just how old they were here, but 4 or […]

Least Bittern females and juveniles are mostly pale and soft brown in color (like the Bittern featured here), while males have dark green crown and back feathers (All About Birds). This female Bittern was having quite a productive little fishing expedition one recent morning! Although we often see obvious size and/or color differences in male […]

“Shy, secretive denizen of the marsh,” the Least Bittern (Smithsonian Handbooks, Birds of Florida, p. 65) can be very elusive. I was so happy to see this one moving about out in the open, in full view, on two recent days in a row! The smallest (11-14″) heron in North America, the Least Bittern is […]

Least Bitterns are known for being shy and very well-camouflaged, great at hiding in the marsh. I spotted this Bittern fly in on a recent early July morning, and assumed it would quickly scoot off into the dense foliage. But when I hurried over to get a better look, she just stood there, posing atop […]