american american species bird family distribution breeding canada northern central parts united_states southern united_states caribbean islands parts central_america solitary brown bird inhabits marshes coarse vegetation edge lakes ponds breeding season chiefly noticeable loud male nest built water usually female clutch olive buff eggs weeks young leave nest weeks fully fledged seven weeks american feeds fish eats small crustaceans insects fairly common wide range numbers thought decreasing especially south habitat degradation total population large assessed conservation status concern description american large brown bird similar slightly smaller plumage barred length wingspan body mass crown chestnut brown centers feathers black neck bluish black elongated patch larger male female hind neck olive mantle dark chestnut brown barred black feathers edged buff upper tail similar color finely black grey bases feathers tail feathers chestnut brown edges brown buff chestnut tips brown buff stripe similarly colored stripe chin white chestnut central stripe feathers throat breast upper belly buff colored finely outlined black giving striped effect eye surrounded yellowish skin iris pale yellow long robust bill yellowish green upper darker lower legs feet yellowish green juveniles resemble adults sides olive taxonomy american described english clergyman individual examined england subspecies accepted today fossils found florida originally described new form later recognized smaller prehistoric subspecies american lived late pleistocene called closest living relative generic given english naturalist derived constructed middle english gave bull resembles bull species latin refers plumage folk names given distinctive book common names american birds lists stake driver vernacular names include thunder bull distribution habitat range includes north_america breeds southern canada far north british_columbia great slave lake united_states possibly central mexico southward fall southern united_states mexico past records coming panama costa_rica long distance rare europe including great_britain ireland aquatic bird marshes shallow water lakes ponds fresh water feeds open wet meadows behavior american solitary bird common range usually keeps hidden difficult observe usually hunts walking shallow water vegetation stalking prey stands ambush senses seen american remains bill pointed upward cryptic coloration causing blend surrounding foliage mainly nocturnal active dusk heard seen male loud resembles pump rendered sound bird head thrown upward forward sound repeated seven times exact process makes distinctive sound fully understood suggested bird gradually neck air accompanied mild sound kept inflated means flaps tongue action completed fully inflated distinctive sound sound finished bird like members family american feeds marshes shallow ponds mainly fish consuming amphibians reptiles small mammals crustaceans insects territorial bird threat display involves slowly long white previously concealed shoulders form wing like extensions nearly meet resembling bird stands threatening posture position head retracted bird nests marshes coarse vegetation female building nest male guarding nest usually water surface consists rough platform dead rushes twigs mixed lined bits coarse grass eggs laid female days eggs shape olive buff averaging size chicks fed individually turn pulling female receiving food directly leave nest weeks fully fledged seven weeks status bird numbers declining parts range habitat loss particularly noticeable southern chemical contamination human development reducing area suitable habitat bird extremely large range large total population assessed conservation status concern american protected bird treaty act protected convention act canada united_states signatories
American bittern