Australasian Bittern - profile

Scientific name: Botaurus poiciloptilus 
 Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Description

The Australasian Bittern is a large, stocky bird, reaching up to 75 cm in length. It has a long, thick neck and a straight, brownish-yellow bill. Its upper surface is mottled brown and its undersurface is buff, with dark brown stripes, except for a pale throat. The eyes are yellow and there is a pale eyebrow. The feet and legs are pale green.

Location and habitat

Distribution
 Australasian Bitterns are widespread but uncommon over south-eastern Australia. In NSW they may be found over most of the state except for the far north-west.

• Favours permanent freshwater wetlands with tall, dense vegetation, particularly bullrushes (Typha spp.) and spikerushes (Eleoacharis spp.).
• Hides during the day amongst dense reeds or rushes and feed mainly at night on frogs, fish, yabbies, spiders, insects and snails.
• Feeding platforms may be constructed over deeper water from reeds trampled by the bird; platforms are often littered with prey remains.
• Breeding occurs in summer from October to January; nests are built in secluded places in densely-vegetated wetlands on a platform of reeds; there are usually six olive-brown eggs to a clutch.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Border Rivers/Gwydir
• Central West
• Hawkesbury/Nepean
• Hunter/Central Rivers
• Lachlan
• Lower Murray/Darling
• Murray
• Murrumbidgee
• Namoi
• Northern Rivers
• Southern Rivers
• Sydney Metro
• Western

Threats

• Drainage of wetlands and ponds.
• Reduced water quality due to siltation, pollution and salinity.
• Predation by foxes and cats.
• Use of herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals near wetland areas.
• Grazing and associated frequent burning of wetland areas.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 8 priority actions to help recover the Australasian Bittern in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Undertake fox and feral cat control in and nearby wetlands.
• Protect swamps from fire during hazard reduction activities.
• Fence wetlands to exclude grazing and trampling by stock.
• Protect wetlands and water-courses from pollution.
• Protect wetlands, ponds and associated marshy areas from clearing or disturbance.

References

• Marchant, S. and Higgins P.J. (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1 Ratites to Ducks. Part A Ratites to Petrels. Oxford University Press, Melbourne
• Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. (2003) The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia 7th Edition. Menkhorst, P. (ed). HarperCollins.
• Pringle, J.D. (1985) The Waterbirds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.