Little Bittern
Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Epic bird: +20 points when you log it.
Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Reedbeds.
Diet: Small fish, amphibians.
Best time to spot: Tiny, skulking; sporadic UK breeder.
When to look
A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Rare birds in the UK.
How rare is it?
The Little Bittern sits in our Epic tier for the UK: a scarce visitor, recorded in small numbers in most years. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- Black-headed BitternLegendary · Reedbeds (extreme vagrant)
- Great Reed WarblerEpic · Reedbeds (very rare)
- Penduline TitEpic · Reedbeds (rare)
- American BitternLegendary · Reedbeds (very rare vagrant)
- Bearded TitUncommon · Large reedbeds (E. England)
- BitternRare · Large reedbeds
Kit that helps
Bird ID starter kit. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.
Log a Little Bittern in your free UK Birdedex