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Find a Bird

American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus

Once fairly common, the reclusive American Bittern has disappeared from Massachusetts marshlands at an alarming rate, especially in eastern parts of the state. So great is its peril that the species is now listed as Endangered in the Commonwealth. Its breeding range in Massachusetts is now restricted.
Conservation Status
Conservation Action Urgent

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Highly Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.49
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.20
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.29
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
-1.30
National Audubon Societyb
Climate Endangered
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
115
Atlas II Blocks
98
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
12
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
9
Percent change
67

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
P-value
Number of routes
Recent trend 2000-2010

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
-1.6
Significantly different than zero
no
Trend (1963-1979)
7
Significantly different than zero
no
Trend (1979-2008)
1.1
Significantly different than zero
no

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Open Freshwater Marsh

Wintering

Saltmarsh

Climate Suitability Current and 2050