BirdUp · Species
Australasian Bittern
Botaurus poiciloptilus(Wagler, 1827)
Also known asMatuku-hūrepo
- Conservation
- Endangered
- Commonness
- Rare
- Best seen
- Year-round
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
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.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
02 · Where
Where to find it
- Breeding range
- Far south-west WA, south-east QLD to south-east SA and Tasmania (south-west and south-east Australia), North and South and Stewart is. (New Zealand), Ouvea (Loyalty Is.) and Grande Terre (New Caledonia; rare)
03 · When
When to look
Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
4 photos
The BirdUp app
Log your next Australasian Bittern in the field
A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.