Information is taken from the game and may change or differ over time. Last updated .
Statistics
The Eurasian bittern (or Botaurus stellaris), also known as the great bittern, is a large species of heron found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It inhabits dense reedbeds and freshwater wetlands with abundant vegetation.
Covered in streaked brown plumage, the Eurasian bittern has a stocky body, a thick neck, and a strong, pointed bill, giving it a bulky appearance compared to other herons.
Adults typically measure 69cm to 81cm tall, with a wingspan of 100cm to 130cm and weigh between 0.87kg and 1.9kg. Males may be slightly larger than females.
- Eurasian bitterns mainly eat fish, amphibians, insects, and small mammals, catching them with quick thrusts of their dagger-like bill.
- The male Eurasian bittern’s deep, foghorn-like boom call can be heard from up to 5km away.
- The male Eurasian bittern’s distinctive call is produced by inflating its oesophagus to act like a resonating chamber. It is one of the most distinctive bird sounds in Europe.
- The Eurasian bittern’s streaked brown and buff plumage blends perfectly with reed stems, making it almost invisible when standing motionless with its bill pointing upward.
- The Eurasian bittern was almost completely extinct in the UK in the late 19th century, but habitat restoration projects have led to a strong recovery.
Habitat
Minimum habitat requirements
Planned population
Space
Barrier
Terrain
Environment
Preferred group ranges
Social
Eurasian bitterns are solitary birds, although will tolerate other individuals outside of the mating season. Unlike many bird species, they do not form lasting pairs during the breeding season and part ways soon after mating.
Food-based enrichment
Bamboo Feeder
Block of Frozen Fish
Slow FeederToy enrichment
Mirror Mobile
Platform Floats
Rattle
Sprinkler
Tennis BallRelease
Release requirements
Log in to track where you have released this species.
Maternal Family Group
Solitary Male
Breeding Partners
Conservation
While today a species of Least Concern, the Eurasian bittern does face fragmentation and degradation of their reedbed and wetland habitat. They rely on dense, tall stands of reeds over shallow water for feeding, breeding and shelter. However, many wetlands have been drained for urban or agricultural expansion, and reedbeds have been fragmented or allowed to become unsuitable through neglect. Additionally, environmental pollution, human disturbance of nesting sites, and the effects of climate change further affect bittern populations.
Major conservation efforts focused on environmental restoration are delivering promising results in parts of their range. For example, in the UK, large-scale reedbed creation and restoration is helping to reverse a dramatic decline in wetland ecosystems and thus available bittern habitat. In mainland Europe, bitterns also benefit from programmes focused on habitat restoration, water-level management, and public awareness campaigns about protection of these sensitive ecosystems.
These protective efforts have helped near-extinct bittern populations to recover, and, if maintained, will help keep this species stable in the wild.
Research
| Level | Unlocks | Bonus | Research gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Coarse Sand terrain | ||
| 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 15 objects or plants with the Reed tag; Eurasian Bittern Fact Sheet | ||
| 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | ||
| 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 | Fertility (+15%) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Poland Reserve and this species released in Poland Reserve |
| 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | ||
| 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Sprinkler, at least 2; Fertility Level 2 | Fertility (+30%) |
Conservation topics
Life
Reproduction
Lifecycle
Body
1.3 m
1.2 mBreeding
The breeding season for Eurasian bitterns is from late winter to early spring. During this time, the male establishes a territory within a large reed bed and defends it with his characteristic ‘boom’ call, both to attract females and warn off rival males. He may mate with up to 5 females entering his territory in one season.
Following mating, the female builds a nest out of last year’s standing reeds, sedges and stems, creating a shallow floating platform at the water’s edge. Here, she lays a clutch of 3 to 6 eggs. Females are the sole carer for offspring, and after egg-laying, incubation lasts approximately 25 to 28 days. Chicks usually hatch several days apart and then remain in the nest for 2 weeks. After this, they leave the nest and disperse into the surrounding reedbed environment but are still provisioned for by their mother. The chicks fledge fully and gain flight capability at around 6 to 8 weeks of age.
Following fledging, the young gradually become independent, though throughout this time the female continues to provide food (often regurgitated prey) until the juveniles can feed themselves entirely. Eurasian bitterns reach sexual maturity at 1 year old.