No completely different but similar3
Bittern
Botaurus stellaris
Distribution
Decrease in breeding range noted in 19th and early part of 20th century has continued more recently, with declines reported from many countries in western, central, and southern Europe (Spain east to Balkans). Elsewhere, stable or (in Sweden and Finland) even increasing.
LUXEMBOURG
Bred 19th century; now only irregular migrant.
SWITZERLAND
Still no proof of breeding, but increased tendency to winter.
PORTUGAL
Sporadic breeder; e.g. pair near Setúbal 1987.
BALEARIC ISLANDS
Confined to S‘Albufera de Mallorca, where temporarily extinct 1980s, but recolonized 1991.
GREECE
Present at 2 localities 1985–6; no confirmed nesting.
TUNISIA
Irregular breeder.
ALGERIA
Probably also breeds El Kala in north-east.
Accidental. Iceland, Faeroes, Norway, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands.
Beyond west Palearctic, extends east to Japan, south to northern China; also breeds eastern half of southern Africa.
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
Distribution
Breeding widespread in North America, north to c. 55–60°N, south locally to Texas and Florida.
Accidental. Iceland, Faeroes, Britain and Ireland (most records, majority before 1914; September–March, mainly October–November), Channel Islands, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Azores, Canary Islands.
Taken from the BWP on CD-ROM: copyright Oxford University Press.
Osprey