The Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) is of the family Ardeidae and is also referred to as brown bittern or bull bird. The range or distribution of this bittern consists of the southeastern and southwestern Australia, Ouvea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Tasmania range. The habitat that these bittern inhabit includes wetland habitat and mostly inhabit wetland vegetation. The nest is built by the female alone in dense vegetations of the wetland and thus, is well hidden in the vegetation. The eggs are laid between the months of August and December, which is also considered to be the breeding season and the peak month is November. Around three to five eggs are laid and the incubation is done for about 25 days after which the eggs hatch. The upperparts are known to have patterns with brown, dark brown, buff, or black color. The underparts are striped or streaked with buff or brown, but are not that dark. These birds have greenish legs, yellow eyes, and a brown bill. The diet is carnivorous and the food mainly consists of eel fish. Their food also includes aquatic fauna like insects, mollusks, spiders, and worms. To capture these prey, proper stalking is done in order to attack. The population of this bird is placed under the Endangered category of conservation status. Some similar species include Eurasian and American bitterns. The call of these bitterns is quite loud and distinct and it has been observed that males produce booming calls during the breeding season. Major threats to these birds include wetland drainage and degradation and thus, habitat loss. Some sites have been recognized as important for the conservation of this bird by Birdlife International. These birds can be spotted one hour before sunrise and on a moonlit night. Some predators have been introduced in the habitat, the surrounding or environment of this bitter.It is quite gripping to learn about this bittern and if you like, read about rusty blackbird and pitta bird, too.
Fun Australasian Bittern Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
Australasian Bittern Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is an Australasian bittern?Australasian bittern is a species of bird or heron.What class of animal does an Australasian bittern belong to?Australasian bitterns belong to the class of Aves of birds.How many Australasian bitterns are there in the world?There is no exact number for the global population of these birds available.Where does an Australasian bittern live?The distribution of this bittern is in the southeastern and southwestern regions of Australia, Ouvea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Tasmania range.What is an Australasian bittern’s habitat?The habitat of the Australasian bittern or brown bittern consists of wetlands that are densely vegetated.Who do Australasian bitterns live with?The feeding takes place in small groups, whereas these birds are known to be solitary hunters.How long does an Australasian bittern live?The life span is known to be around 11 years.How do they reproduce?The nest of these birds is known to be built by the females using reeds and is placed in the dense vegetation and is commonly 8-11.8 in (20-30 cm) above the ground. The eggs are laid between the months of August and December and the peak month of the season is November, which is also considered to be the breeding season. Around three to five eggs are laid, and the incubation is done for about 25 days, after which, the eggs hatch. The chicks are known to stay in the nest for about seven weeks. Fledging takes place between the months of November and May.What is their conservation status?These birds are known to be placed under the Endangered category of conservation status.Australasian Bittern Fun FactsWhat do Australasian bitterns look like?The Australasian bittern or matuku hūrepo is considered to be a heavy species, and its physical description and the upper parts of this species are known to have patterns with brown, dark brown, buff, or black color. The underparts are striped or streaked with buff or brown. The eyebrows and throat are dull and the side parts of the neck are dark brown in color. The legs are of a greenish shade, just like the face. The eyes are yellow-colored and the bill is brown-colored.How cute are they?These birds are not considered cute by people.How do they communicate?Just like other species of birds, these birds are known to communicate using different types of sounds and calls during the breeding season, to alert each other, or in general, to communicate with each other.How big is an Australasian bittern?The length of this bird ranges from 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm) and is slightly smaller than the American bittern and larger than a sunbittern.How fast can an Australasian bittern fly?The exact speed of these bitterns is unknown.How much does an Australasian bittern weigh?The weight of these birds or species can be around 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg).What are the male and female names of the species?Males and females of this bird, matuku hūrepo, do not have any particular names.What would you call a baby Australasian bittern?In general, the babies are referred to as chicks or young ones, but there exists no specific name for a baby of this bird.What do they eat?The diet is carnivorous and the food of these species mainly consists of fish, like eels and it is also known to feed on other aquatic fauna like insects, mollusks, spiders, worms, frogs, lizards, and freshwater crayfish. Certain techniques that are used to capture prey include waiting, stalking, or monitoring, and leg and wing movements are used to attract and confuse prey. These bitterns use techniques to capture prey, just like other herons.Are they dangerous?These birds or species are not considered to be dangerous.Would they make a good pet?Not much is known about these species as pets, but it is believed that these bitterns do not make great pets as they are wild birds.Did you know…Australasian bitterns are also referred to as brown bitterns, matuku hūrepo, bunyip bird, or bull bird.In 1827, the Australasian bittern was described by Johann Georg Wagler, a German zoologist.This bittern is considered native to New Zealand.It is believed that the Australasian bittern or matuku hūrepo is one of the four birds that have a similar or almost the same plumage in the Botaurus genus.This bird is known to be a partly nocturnal and cryptic bird.The detailed analysis of this bird states that to spot this bird, the best time is one hour before sunrise in austral spring or September when there is no rain or cloud on a moonlit night.All the sites that have been recognized as important for the conservation of the Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), a threatened species, by Birdlife International are all in Australia.Some similar species include juvenile nankeen night heron, Eurasian bittern, and American bittern.This threatened species is believed to be heard often instead of being spotted as the Australasian bittern call is quite loud and distinct, and males are known to make booming calls during the breeding season.Not a lot is known about the predators of this bird, but it is believed that the threats to young ones and eggs are by some predators that have been introduced in its distribution or habitat, surrounding, or environment.The population of this bittern is a protected one.For some time the feathers of this bittern were sought after, just like that of trout flies, but it is now considered illegal.Why is the Australasian bittern Endangered?The past and current factors behind this bird population being Endangered are considered to be wetland degradation and drainage. The natural flow regimes alteration is known to be another reason for the populations being Endangered. It is believed that the burning or grazing of the wetlands can also affect the populations of these birds and thus, their habitat and sites are protected for the conservation of the populations of this bird.Why is it called matuku hūrepo?The reason why the Australasian bittern is also called matuku hūrepo is unknown, but it is the Māori name of this bittern. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these harpy eagle facts and sea eagle facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Bittern coloring pages.
What type of animal is an Australasian bittern?
Australasian bittern is a species of bird or heron.
Fun Australasian Bittern Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
Fun Australasian Bittern Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
Fun Australasian Bittern Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
Fun Australasian Bittern Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
What do they prey on? Frogs and eels
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh? 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they? 25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Brown
Skin Type Feathery
What were their main threats? Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status? Endangered
What do they prey on?
Frogs and eels
What do they eat?
Carnivore
Average litter size?
3-5 eggs
How much do they weigh?
2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg)
How long are they?
25.5-29.5 in (65-75 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
Brown
Skin Type
Feathery
What were their main threats?
Wetland Drainage And Degradation
What is their conservation status?
Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
Where you’ll find them?
Wetland Vegetation Or Wetland Habitat
Locations
Australia And New Caledonia
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Botaurus
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Botaurus
Class Aves
Family Ardeidae
