Nature Journal
with Photos

          
Least Bittern Identification Tips
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
 
General Information
- Very small wading bird
- Buff face and sides to the neck
- White chin, throat, foreneck and belly
- Buff wing coverts visible in flight and at rest

Adult male
- Black cap
- Black back
- Fairly faint brown streaks on fore-neck

Adult female
- Brown cap
- Brown back
- More obvious brown streaks on fore-neck

Juvenile
- Buff cap does not contrast with face
- Blackish streaks on foreneck
- Brown back

Similar species
Green Heron lacks buff color to head and wings. All other herons are much larger.
 
 
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