Least Bittern
Botaurus exilis
Introduction
Least Bittern is a very rare vagrant to the UK, first recorded on Shetland in 2022. Least Bitterns are superficially similar to Little Bitterns but breed in North America and Mexico. They are highly migratory, wintering in central and south America. Previous vagrants have occured on the Azores and in Ireland.
Key Stats
Population and distribution stats for:
Status and Trends
Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on
BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.
Conservation Status
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)
Least Concern
Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*
No
* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk.
See About Birdfacts for more information.
Population Size
First Record*
Shetland, 2022
* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this.
See About Birdfacts for more information.
Population Change
Population trends of this scarce species are not routinely monitored.
Movement
Information about Least Bittern movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack),
Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information for Least Bittern, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan
based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
Survival and Longevity
Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.
Classification, names and codes
Taxonomy, names and species codes for Least Bittern
Classification and Codes
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Ardeidae
- Scientific name: Botaurus exilis
- Authority: Gmelin, 1789
Alternate species names
- Catalan: Martinet menut americà
- Czech: buká?ek americký
- Danish: Amerikansk Dværghejre
- Dutch: Amerikaanse Woudaap
- Finnish: amerikanpikkuhaikara
- French: Petit Blongios
- German: Indianerdommel
- Hungarian: amerikai törpegém
- Irish: Rengluþvari
- Italian: Tarabusino americano
- Lithuanian: Nykštukinis baublys
- Norwegian: Pygmérørdrum
- Polish: b?czek ameryka?ski
- Portuguese: Socoí-vermelho
- Slovak: bu?iak malý
- Spanish: Avetorillo Americano
- Swedish: amerikansk dvärgrördrom
More Evidence
More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com
Partners
Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by
BTO,
RSPB,
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation,
JNCC and other partners.
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