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Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae Chick Type: Semialtricial (chick has mobility, need food from parents and requires parental attendance) American Bitterns are truly American, they can be found in all 48 lower states. This species breed in the northern two thirds of the country, and winters in the lower one third. Habitat consists of wetlands such as marshes, wet prairies and bogs. Their diet consists of aquatic invertebrates & small vertebrates such as dragonfly nymphs, crayfish, fish, frogs and tadpoles. American Bitterns lay 2-7 olive colored eggs on a platform type nest. The eggs take around 24-29 days to hatch. The chicks will fledge in six to seven weeks. When discovered, American Bitterns have a unique behavior of pointing their bills towards the sky and slowly move their body from side to side. This helps it blend in with the vertical vegetation such as reeds and cattails. By moving side to side, it follows the plants movement during winds. Other Links:
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