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.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, primarily in extensive freshwater wetlands with dense emergent vegetation. Favors reedbeds, rushes, and sedgelands around swamps, lagoons, floodplains, and rice fields. It uses dense cover for foraging and nesting, often along shallow margins and in mosaic habitats of open water and thick reeds. Breeding sites are typically secluded patches of tall sedges or reeds over shallow water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as Matuku-hūrepo in Māori, the Australasian bittern is famed for its deep, resonant 'booming' call that can carry for kilometers, earning it the nickname 'Bunyip Bird' in Australia. Its mottled, reed-like plumage and a habit of freezing with bill pointed upward make it exceptionally hard to spot in dense wetlands. It is highly sensitive to wetland drainage and habitat degradation, and benefits from rice-field and reedbed management that maintains shallow water and dense cover.
Bittern stalking prey amongst dense vegetation in New Zealand wetlands
Bittern wrestling with an eel
Australasian bittern exhibiting its "freeze" or "surveillance" posture
Australasian bittern slowly swallowing a large eel
Male Australasian bittern mount from the collection of Auckland Museum
Botaurus poiciloptilus, Edithvale Wetlands, Australia
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
reluctant flier with steady, low flight and deep, deliberate wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside the breeding season, remaining concealed within dense reeds. Males establish territories and deliver booming displays during breeding, often at dawn and dusk. Nests are built low over water in thick vegetation; females undertake most nesting and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A deep, resonant boom delivered in a series of spaced notes, audible over long distances across wetlands. Also gives low grunts and croaks at closer range.
