CreatureData

American bittern vs Dwarf bittern

The American bittern is heavier: 706 g against 140 g for the dwarf bittern, about 5.0 times the weight.

American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
American bittern LCLeast Concern
Photo: Walter Siegmund · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

No freely licensed photo yet

Dwarf bittern

What is the difference between a American bittern and a dwarf bittern?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The American bittern is heavier: 706 g against 140 g for the dwarf bittern, about 5.0 times the weight.
  • Both belong to the genus Botaurus, so they are close relatives.

Side by side

American bitternDwarf bittern
Scientific nameBotaurus lentiginosusBotaurus sturmii
FamilyArdeidaeArdeidae
OrderPelecaniformesPelecaniformes
Weight372 g – 706 g140 g – 142 g
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan8.3 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatwetlandwetland
Conservation statusLeast ConcernNot recorded
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: American bitternFull record: Dwarf bitternCompare other animals