Australasian Bittern
Helping the Australasian Bittern
The Australasian Bittern is an endangered waterbird which is found mainly in Australia and New Zealand. It inhabits tall, dense, emergent, reedy vegetation growing in shallow freshwater wetlands, where foraging, roosting and breeding all take place. They are often difficult to see. When a person walks through a bittern’s wetland, the birds initial reaction is to freeze and assume an erect posture, with its neck outstretched and its bill pointing skyward. Sometimes a hiding bittern even sways with the breeze to enhance its concealment. This pose, combined with its cryptic plumage (mottling, streaks and striations), means a bittern is easily overlooked.
The eerie call of the Australasian Bittern is said to have been the origin of the Aboriginal and colonialist myth of the Bunyip – a mythical creature said to live in creeks, swamps, billabongs, riverbeds and waterholes. Source: BirdLife Australia
Recorded sightings
It appears that 1999 was the last recorded sighting of the Australasian Bittern at Devilbend. Here’s hoping that by targeting specific Bittern habitat within the reserve, we may be lucky to discover them visiting. Going off past records, May to December seem to be the time frame for seeing them there. Perhaps because it is when there is the most water on the ground.
Map Source: Atlas of Living Australia
Future proofing
Habitat assessment and improvement is also an essential part of the project so that the Australasian Bittern continues to visit now and into the future. Surveys for the bird have started in four locations, and habitat requirements have been assessed. Would you like to help or just have a question, please contact us.
Community monitoring
Improving habitat
