Least Bittern
Botaurus exilis (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns
Least Bittern, Botaurus exilis, breeds from eastern and south-western USA through Middle America into South America, reaching south-east Brazil. It is a heron in the family Ardeidae and is the smallest member of that family found in the Americas. The species was first described by Gmelin in 1789. It was once placed in Ixobrychus, but is now included in Botaurus. Six subspecies are recognised. A dark rufous form known as Cory’s least bittern was once treated as a separate species, but that view was later rejected.
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns
- Breeding range
- North America, Middle America, South America: e, sw USA to se Brazil
