Australasian Bittern

About the Australasian Bittern

The Australasian bittern, or Matuku-hūrepo in Māori, is a stocky, sizeable and elusive heron-like bird native to the wetlands of Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. It belongs to the bittern subfamily of the heron family Ardeidae. The Australasian bittern is best known for its cryptic plumage and behaviours, which allows it to blend into the rushes and reeds of its wetland habitats, making it particularly difficult to spot. Despite being rarely seen, Australasian bittern males have a distinct "booming" call that can carry long distances. This call is said to resemble that of a Bunyip, which is why the Australasian bittern is often known as "the Bunyip Bird" in parts of Australia.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Australasian Bittern lives

When to see the Australasian Bittern

Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Pinnated BitternBotaurus pinnatusThe pinnated bittern is a large heron, measuring between 25–30 in (64–76 cm) with a weight that ranges from 554 to 1,157 g (1.2 to 2.6 lb); males typically weigh considerably more than females. Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisBitterns are thickset herons with bright, pale, buffy-brown plumage covered with dark streaks and bars. American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusThe American bittern is a large, chunky, brown bird, very similar to the Eurasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris), though slightly smaller, and the plumage is speckled rather than being barred.