loading...
A photo of a Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus)
Australasian Bittern

Australasian Bittern

Botaurus poiciloptilus

The Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), also known as the brown bittern or matuku hūrepo, and also nicknamed the "bunyip bird", is a large bird in the heron family Ardeidae. A secretive bird with a distinctive booming call, it is more often heard than seen. Australasian bitterns are endangered in both Australia and New Zealand. The bird has a deep brown upper surface, mauled with buff on wing coverts; face and eyebrow buff, with dark brown stripe running from bill to erectile plumes at sides of neck. Under surface buff, striped with brown. The face skin is a dull green as are the legs and feet, it possesses a dark brown bill, yellow eyes, and the base of the lower mandible is green-yellow.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Australasian Bitterns on Birda

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Angus Hamilton
Angus Hamilton
Monday 17 Jul 2023 - 2:46am
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Angus Hamilton
Angus Hamilton
Tuesday 13 Jun 2023 - 12:31am
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Brandon PB
Sunday 05 Nov 2017 - 7:00am
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Jamie BT
Sunday 05 Nov 2017 - 7:00am
Australia
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.