New Zealand Little Bittern vs Forest Bittern

Ixobrychus novaezelandiae compared with Zonerodius heliosylus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute New Zealand Little Bittern Forest Bittern
Scientific Name Ixobrychus novaezelandiae Zonerodius heliosylus
Order Pelecaniformes Pelecaniformes
Family Ardeidae Ardeidae
Conservation Status Extinct Near Threatened
Length — —
Wingspan — 60.6 cm (23.9 in)
Weight 104.5 g (3.69 oz) 802.0 g (28.29 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-9 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

New Zealand Little Bittern only

Forest Bittern only

None

Conservation Status

Extinct

New Zealand Little Bittern

Near Threatened

Forest Bittern

About These Birds

New Zealand Little Bittern

The New Zealand Little Bittern (Ixobrychus novaezelandiae) is an extinct species of small heron belonging to the family Ardeidae, formerly endemic to the North Island, South Island, and possibly other islands of New Zealand. Known from subfossil bones and a small number of specimens collected in the nineteenth century, this bittern appears to have been similar in general structure to other small Ixobrychus bitterns but with plumage that reportedly differed from its congeners, showing more brownish and streaked tones. It …

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