Bittern Bird - Migratory marsh bird of the heron family. The American species, often called stake driver because of the males booming call it in the spring, is widely distributed in East North America . Mostly nocturnal, it feeds on frogs, fish, and insects. When pursued, it escapes by standing motionless with bill uplifted, its brown and yellow markings and striped neck blending with the marsh grasses . It is about two to 3 ft. tall. The Western and Eastern least bitterns are about half this size .