Least bittern
| Least bittern | |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Botaurus |
| Species: | B. exilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Botaurus exilis (Gmelin, JF, 1789) | |
| Range of B. exilis Breeding range Year-round range Wintering range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Ardetta exilis | |
The least bittern (Botaurus exilis) is a small heron, the smallest member of the family Ardeidae found in the Americas. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.