John Chan / American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) hunting in saltmarsh, Southern California, USA, December.

John Chan / American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) hunting in saltmarsh, Southern California, USA, December.

Nick Saunders / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Saskatchewan, Canada

Donald M. Jones / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) camouflaged on reeds, central Montana

Donald M. Jones / American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) camouflaged on reeds, central Montana

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