The American Bittern is usually seen in wetlands, It is very unusual to see one in the Omaha area and rare in Fontenelle Forest.

The American Bittern is a heron of dense reed beds and difficult to see. Its far-carrying booming call is distinctive, but the bittern itself likes to keep under cover. It will often “pose” in the middle of reeds with its head in the air using its streaked undersides to help camouflage it from being seen.