The largest of the bitterns of Iberá and one of the most cryptic birds on the continent. Pale chestnut plumage with very fine longitudinal black and white stripes that perfectly reproduce the visual texture of the reeds and tall grass where it lives. When it feels watched, it adopts a rigid posture with its neck stretched and its bill pointing vertically skyward, and it may sway gently, mimicking the movement of the stems. Its body is plump and its legs are short and green. It measures 60 to 76 cm.
Behaviour
Nocturnal and crepuscular. It hunts in the dense vegetation of the wetland: small fish, frogs, river crabs, water snakes and aquatic insects. It is only detected in broad daylight when it moves among the reeds or briefly crosses an open channel.
How and when to see it
Dawn and dusk near dense reed beds. Its presence is given away by a deep thumping or resonant "boom" that the males emit in the dark during the breeding season.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where pinnated bittern has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where pinnated bittern lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common namePinnated Bittern
- Scientific nameBotaurus pinnatus
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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