Juan Carlos Munoz / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) in reeds. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, February.

Steve Gettle / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Michigan

Kristel Richard / American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) amongst reeds, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, December

Kristel Richard / American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) amongst reeds, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, December

Kristel Richard / American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) buffing its feathers in defgence, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, December

Tom Vezo / American bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus} feeding on fish, Long Island, New York, USA

Donald M. Jones / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) hiding in bullrushes, Florida

Donald M. Jones / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Florida

Donald M. Jones / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Florida

Gerrit Vyn / Adult male American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) vocalising and displaying its large white shoulder plumes during courtship period. This bird is in the process of inflating its esophagus during voc...

Gerrit Vyn / Adult male American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) displaying white shoulder plumes during courtship in a marsh. Montezuma NWR, New York, USA

Gerrit Vyn / Adult male American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) vocalising in Spring to attract mate, Montezuma NWR, New York, USA

Gerrit Vyn / Adult male American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) in reedbed vocalising in Spring. Montezuma NWR, New York, USA

Gerrit Vyn / Male American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) camouflaged in marshes. Montezuma NWR, New York, USA

George Sanker / American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) Daniel Webster Audubon Sanctuary, Marshfield, Massachusetts, USA, Spring

Scott Leslie / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) pointing skyward in an attempt to hide, Amherst Point, Nova Scotia, Canada

Rolf Nussbaumer / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, Texas, USA. March 2005

Tom Vezo / American bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus} amongst water vegetation, Long Island, NY, USA.

Tom Vezo / American bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus} Head portrait, Long Island, New York, USA

Tom Vezo / American Bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus} amongst reeds, Long Island, New York, USA.

Tom Vezo / American bittern portrait {Botaurus lentiginosus} Long Is, NY, USA

Tom Vezo / American bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus} Texas, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / American bittern {Botarus lentiginosus} head profile, Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, Texas, USA.

Tom Vezo / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) raising neck to achieve camouflage among reeds, Anahuac National Wildlife Reserve, Texas

Mary McDonald / American bittern {Botaurus lentiginosus} camouflaged in reeds, Florida, USA

Tom Vezo / American bittern in reeds {Botaurus lentiginosus} Long Is, New York, USA

Donald M. Jones / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Florida

Jim Brandenburg / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) camouflaged among reeds, South Dakota

Tom Vezo / American bittern feeding on fish {Botaurus lentiginosUs} Long Island, NY, USA