Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) is in the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns family (Ardeidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,706 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Least Bittern: observations by month (U.S.)
About Least Bittern
The least bittern (Botaurus exilis) is a small heron, the smallest member of the family Ardeidae found in the Americas. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Least Bittern by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,247 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Texas | 1,076 | April | Apr–May |
| California | 455 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Arizona | 229 | May | Mar–Aug |
| Louisiana | 165 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Ohio | 140 | May | May–Aug |
| New York | 127 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Maryland | 126 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Illinois | 120 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 107 | May | May–Aug |
| South Carolina | 94 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 63 | July | May–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | May | May–Aug |
| Delaware | 58 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Minnesota | 57 | June | May–Aug |
| New Jersey | 48 | May | May–Sep |
| Michigan | 47 | June | May–Sep |
| Mississippi | 47 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Georgia | 46 | June | Apr–Jul |
| North Carolina | 45 | June | May–Jul |
| Virginia | 45 | June | May–Jul |
| Alabama | 32 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Vermont | 32 | July | May–Jul |
| Nevada | 31 | May | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 25 | May | May–May |
| Colorado | 21 | May | May–Jun |
| New Mexico | 19 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Missouri | 18 | May | May–Oct |
| Kansas | 17 | June | May–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 16 | June | May–Aug |
| Indiana | 15 | May | May–Jul |
| Iowa | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Oklahoma | 12 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Connecticut | 10 | May | May–Jul |
| Nebraska | 10 | May | May–Sep |
| Maine | 6 | May | May–May |
| Arkansas | 5 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 5 | June | Jun–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Least Bittern?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to August.
Where is Least Bittern most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Texas, California.