Australasian Bittern
Botaurus poiciloptilus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="botaurus-poiciloptilus"></birdfyi-bird>The Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) is a bird species in the family Ardeidae (herons & egrets), within the order Pelecaniformes (pelicans & herons). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 64.1 cm and a weight of 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Vulnerable.
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About
The Australasian Bittern is a Vulnerable large heron found in freshwater wetlands and reed beds across Australia and New Zealand. Weighing about 1,166.5g with a wingspan of 64.1cm, it is a cryptically streaked brown bird that freezes motionless with its bill pointed skyward when threatened. It feeds on fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates at night.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 64.1 cm | 25.2 in |
| Weight | 1166.5 g | 41.15 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 25-49 days.
Clutch Size
4-5
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons) |
| Family | Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets) |
| Genus | Botaurus |
| Species | Botaurus poiciloptilus |
Distribution
Australasian Bittern has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Australasian Bittern endangered?
How does the Australasian Bittern nest?
How big is the Australasian Bittern?
What order and family does the Australasian Bittern belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Ardeidae family