Australasian Bittern

Taxobox
name = Australasian Bitte
status = EN
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2006|id=2904|title=Botaurus poiciloptilus|downloaded=18 Jan 2006 Database entry includes range map and justification for why the species is listed as endangered]


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Ciconiiformes
familia = Ardeidae
genus = "Botaurus"
species = "B. poiciloptilus"
binomial = "Botaurus poiciloptilus"
binomial_authority = (Wagler, 1827)

The Australasian Bittern, "Botaurus poiciloptilus", also known as the Brown Bittern, is found in south-western and south-eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Ouvea. Populations in Australia and New Zealand have declined in the 20th Century.

It is a large bittern, patterned and streaked brown, buff and black, with a pale throat. It is a cryptic and partly nocturnal species that inhabits densely vegetated wetlands. It feeds on aquatic animals such as frogs, eels and freshwater crustaceans. It is a solitary nester on the ground in dense wetland vegetation on trampled reeds and other plants. It has a distinctive booming voice and may be heard more often than seen.

The principal cause of past and ongoing decline is thought to be wetland drainage and degradation. In Australia it is thought to be particularly sensitive to the destruction of drought refugia.

Conservation Status

The Australasian Bittern is not listed as threatened on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Australasian Bittern is listed as threatened on the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. [ [http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpa.nsf/LinkView/EADA0F1874AF9CF24A2567C1001020A388BBA5581CF9D859CA256BB300271BDB Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria] ] Under this Act, an "Action Statement" for the recovery and future management of this species has not been prepared. [ [http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpa.nsf/LinkView/617768308BCB666E4A25684E00192281E7A24BB36FF60A144A256DEA00244294 Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria] ] On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, this species is listed as endangered.cite book | author = Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment | title = Advisory List of Threatened VertebrateFauna in Victoria - 2007 | publisher = Department of Sustainability and Environment | date = 2007 | location = East Melbourne, Victoria | pages = 15 | url = | id = ISBN 978-1-74208-039-0 ]

Gallery

References

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3767&m=0 BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: "Botaurus poiciloptilus".] Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 14/11/2006
* Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Coordinators). (2000). "Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol.1: Ratites to Ducks". Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553068-3