Australasian bittern

Botaurus novaezelandiae

The Australasian bittern, also known as the New Zealand bittern, is a secretive and elusive bird species found in wetlands and marshes of Australia and New Zealand. It is known for its distinctive booming call during the breeding season. This bittern is a large, heavily streaked brown bird with a mottled and camouflaged plumage that helps it blend into its marshland habitat. It is a solitary and crepuscular bird, hunting for fish, frogs, and invertebrates in the reed beds and shallow waters. The Australasian bittern is a threatened species due to habitat loss and degradation of wetlands.

Habitat: Wetlands and marshes