bit·tern / ˈbitərn/ • n. a large marsh bird (genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus) of the heron family, with brown streaked plumage, including the American bittern (B. lentiginosus). The males of certain species are noted for a deep booming call during the breeding season.bit·tern² (also bitterns) • n. a concentrated solution of various salts remaining after the crystallization of salt from seawater.

BITTERN

BITTERN (Heron; Heb. אֲנָפָה, anafah), mentioned among the unclean birds (Lev. 11:19; Deut. 14:18) and referring to birds of the family Ardeidae which are aquatic and marsh birds. Various species occur in Israel such as the white heron (Egretta alba) whose span can be as much as a yard. On the other hand the buff-backed heron (Bulbucus ibis) is much smaller. The latter, as well as many other species of bittern, have greatly increased in recent years in Israel with the spread of fish ponds and irrigation.

bibliography:

Lewysohn, Zool, 169–70; F.S. Bodenheimer, Ha-Ḥai be-Arẓot ha-Mikra, 2 (1956), index; J. Feliks, Animal World of the Bible (1962), 84.

[Jehuda Feliks]

bittern marsh bird with booming note. XIV. Earliest forms botor, butor, etc. — OF. butor — Rom. *būtitaurus, f. L. būtiō bittern + taurus bull. Forms with final n (XVI) are perh. due to assoc. with hern HERON.

bittern Solitary, heron-like wading bird with a characteristic booming call found in marshes worldwide. A heavy-bodied bird, it is brownish with streaks and spots which help to disguise it. The female lays 3–6 eggs. Length: 25–90cm (10in–3ft). Family Ardeidae, species Botaurus stellaris.

bittern See ARDEIDAE.