The Mauritius night heron is an extinct night heron species from Mauritius. It is only known by seven subfossil bone remains consisted of cranium, pelvis, coracoid, ulna, radius, and tarsometatarsus found in Mare aux Songes. Only the coracoid and the tarsometatarsus are left today. It was scientifically described in 1893 by Edward Newton and Hans Gadow from the University of Cambridge. Newton and Gadow measured the tarsometatarsus with 81 to 87 mm. It became presumedly extinct shortly after it was first mentioned by François Leguat in 1693 who described them as a "great flight of bitterns".
Region
Mascarene Islands
Typical Environment
Historically confined to Mauritius, it likely occupied marshes, swamps, and riparian edges, including the lowland wetlands around lakes and river mouths. It probably foraged along shallow freshwater and brackish margins and used adjacent wooded areas for roosting. Like other night herons, it would have preferred dense cover near water for daytime concealment. Subfossil evidence pinpoints presence around Mare aux Songes, a wetland depression on the island’s southeast.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
An extinct night heron known only from subfossil remains recovered at Mare aux Songes on Mauritius, and described scientifically in 1893 by Newton and Gadow. Contemporary accounts from the 1690s likely refer to it as abundant "bitterns," suggesting it was once common before rapid decline. Its extinction was probably driven by habitat loss and predation following human settlement.
Temperament
secretive and crepuscular
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats over short to moderate distances
Social Behavior
Likely nested in small colonies or loose groups, as is typical of Nycticorax herons. It probably built simple stick platforms in trees or dense vegetation over water. Adults would have been largely solitary while foraging and more gregarious at roosts.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls were likely harsh, croaking notes typical of night herons, given mainly at dusk or during night movements. Vocalizations would have been short, guttural barks rather than melodious songs.
