American Bittern

American Bittern Calling

This American Bittern is preparing to unleash its unusal call. To accomplish the pump-er-lunk sound, the male inflates his esophagus by way of almost violent body contortions—opening and closing his bill as if lunging for flying insects—and then uses the stored air to unleash his call.

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Dan Rossi

December 7, 2023 9:52 am

Amazing photo!

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