Bird field guide · Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Photographing the American Bittern

How to photograph the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April and May).

40–140 cm1/2000 s
40–140 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
11,580
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionHerons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 90 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)65 mm98 mm43 mm33 mm
10 m (33 ft)130 mm196 mm87 mm65 mm
15 m (49 ft)195 mm294 mm130 mm98 mm
20 m (66 ft)261 mm392 mm174 mm130 mm
30 m (98 ft)391 mm588 mm261 mm195 mm
50 m (164 ft)651 mm980 mm434 mm326 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 8% Jan Feb: 7% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 16% Apr May: 17% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 5% Jul Aug: 5% Aug Sep: 5% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 7% Nov Dec: 6% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April and May.

About the American Bittern#

The American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is a species of wading bird in the heron family of the Pelican order of bird. It has a Nearctic distribution, breeding in Canada and the northern and central parts of the United States, and wintering in the U.S. Gulf Coast states, all of Florida into the Everglades, the Caribbean islands and parts of Central America.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • White egrets: expose for the whites (−0.7 EV in sun).
  • Breeding plumes are most spectacular in spring.
  • Herons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
  • Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns#

Great Blue Heron Great Blue HeronArdea herodias Great Egret Great EgretArdea alba Snowy Egret Snowy EgretEgretta thula Green Heron Green HeronButorides virescens Black-crowned Night Heron Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax Yellow-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night HeronNyctanassa violacea Little Blue Heron Little Blue HeronEgretta caerulea Tricolored HeronEgretta tricolor

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph an American Bittern?

At about 90 cm long, an american bittern fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 130 mm, or at 20 m with 261 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for an American Bittern?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a American Bittern?

Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources