Little Bittern

Botaurus minutus

The Little Bittern (Botaurus minutus) is a small heron species found in wetland habitats across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. It is known for its secretive nature, often hiding within dense reed beds and marshes. This species is characterized by its striking plumage, with males displaying a combination of blue-gray and chestnut colors, while females have a more subdued brown and buff plumage. Little Bitterns are skilled hunters, preying on small fish, insects, and amphibians within their aquatic habitats. Despite their widespread distribution, they face threats from habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the protection of their wetland habitats and populations.

Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and reed beds

Little Bittern
© Иван Везенковић · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

Day trip - Shirvan-Gobustan
Day trip - Shirvan-Gobustan
Azerbaijan / Baku Private tour 1 day | 10h

Private Azerbaijan birding day trip from Baku, focused on Shirvan National Park and nearby target-bird habitats....

From 440.00 USD
Short-break Bird Photography Programme in Southern Portugal
Short-break Bird Photography Programme in Southern Portugal
Portugal / Lisbon Group tour 5 days | 0h

A short-break bird photography programme in southern Portugal....

From 0.00 EUR
Week-long Bird Photography Programme in Southern Portugal
Week-long Bird Photography Programme in Southern Portugal
Portugal / Lisbon Group tour 8 days | 0h

A week-long bird photography programme in southern Portugal, covering Lisbon estuaries, Alentejo and Algarve....

From 0.00 EUR
Short-break Birds and Conservation Programme in Southern Portugal
Short-break Birds and Conservation Programme in Southern Portugal
Portugal / Lisbon Group tour 5 days | 0h

A short-break group programme combining birds and conservation in southern Portugal....

From 0.00 EUR
Short-break Birdwatching Programme in Southern Portugal
Short-break Birdwatching Programme in Southern Portugal
Portugal / Lisbon Group tour 5 days | 0h

A short-break group birdwatching programme in southern Portugal....

From 0.00 EUR
Aveiro Lagoon Birdwatching Day Tour from Porto
Aveiro Lagoon Birdwatching Day Tour from Porto
Portugal / Aveiro Private tour 1 day | 9h

Full-day guided birdwatching from Porto to the Aveiro Lagoon....

From 300.00 EUR
Barrinha de Esmoriz and Douro Estuary Birdwatching Day Tour from Porto
Barrinha de Esmoriz and Douro Estuary Birdwatching Day Tour from Porto
Portugal / Porto Private tour 1 day | 9h

Half-day or full-day private birding from Porto to Barrinha de Esmoriz and the Douro Estuary....

From 160.00 EUR
Algarve Private Birdwatching Day Tour to Other Sites
Algarve Private Birdwatching Day Tour to Other Sites
Portugal / Faro Private tour 1 day | 9h

A flexible Algarve birdwatching day to additional sites such as Salgados, Ria de Alvor, Sagres or Monchique....

From 0.00 EUR
Southwest Spain Private Birdwatching Day Tour from the Algarve
Southwest Spain Private Birdwatching Day Tour from the Algarve
Spain / Huelva Private tour 1 day | 10h

A full-day private birdwatching trip from the Algarve into southwest Spain....

From 360.00 EUR
Algarve Private Birdwatching Day Tour
Algarve Private Birdwatching Day Tour
Portugal / Faro Private tour 1 day | 9h

Half-day or full-day private birding in the Algarve, especially the eastern protected wetlands....

From 160.00 EUR
Lisbon Private Birdwatching Day Tour to Other Sites
Lisbon Private Birdwatching Day Tour to Other Sites
Portugal / Lisbon Private tour 1 day | 9h

A flexible private birdwatching day from Lisbon to other Portuguese birding sites by arrangement....

From 0.00 EUR
Sado Estuary Private Birdwatching Day Tour
Sado Estuary Private Birdwatching Day Tour
Portugal / Setubal Private tour 1 day | 9h

Private birdwatching from Lisbon or Setubal to the Sado Estuary wetlands and surrounding habitats....

From 190.00 EUR
Tagus Estuary Private Birdwatching Day Tour
Tagus Estuary Private Birdwatching Day Tour
Portugal / Lisbon Private tour 1 day | 9h

Half-day or full-day private birding from Lisbon to the Tagus Estuary, one of Portugal's most important wetlands....

From 160.00 EUR
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls
Namibia / Walvis Bay Group tour 18 days | 0h

This birdwatching journey through Namibia, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls combines southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes with e...

From 10206.00 USD