Birds found in NSW Wetlands

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The Birds of NSW Wetlands - The Bitterns

Order - Ciconiiformes

Little Bittern
Black Bittern (A Vulnerable Species)
Australasian Bittern (Vulnerable)
References and Further Reading

Little Bittern

Ixobrychus minutus

General Characteristics:

Male plumage largely cinnamon in colour. Both sexes have black crown, back, wings and tail.

A shy bird, rarely seen outside of dense reed beds. Feeds alone, usually at night.

Build their nests just above the water surface using reeds and rushes.

Diet:

Insects and small vertebrates.

Habitat:

Freshwater reed beds.

Distribution in NSW:

Found throughout most of NSW.

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Black Bittern (A vulnerable species)

Ixobrychus flavicollis

General Characteristics:

The largest of the small bitterns.

Males have grey-black wings, back and face, white throat. Females are browner and paler than males, with a yellow patch on cheeks.

Often nest in trees over water.

Hunt at dusk and dawn.

Listed as vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Diet:

Fish, amphibians, molluscs and insects.

Habitat:

Requires dense riparian vegetation. Forested rivers, inlets and estuarine wetlands.

Distribution in NSW:

Mainly found along the east coast.

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Australasian Bittern (Vulnerable)

Botaurus poiciloptilus

Source: NPWS

General Characteristics:

A secretive bird that is rarely seen, even though it is the largest of the Australian Bitterns.

Deep brown, mottled plumage, brown stripe running from bill down each side of the neck, lighter brown throat and chest.

A solitary hunter.

Nests in amongst dense reeds.

Listed as vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Diet:

Amphibians, fish, crustaceans, snails, mice and insects.

Habitat:

Reed filled freshwater and estuarine swamps and lagoons.

Distribution in NSW:

Found throughout the State, except for the north east of the State.

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References and Further Reading

Fullagar, P. J. and Davey, C. C. 1983. Herons, Egrets, Ibises and Spoonbills. Order: Ciconiiformes. In "Wetlands in New South Wales". (Ed C. Haigh). National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW.

Readers Digest. 1988. Readers Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader’s Digest, Sydney.

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Copyright © 2000 - NSW Department of Natural Resources
www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au

Wetlands Facts about Wetlands Wetland Plants and Animals Birds Search: [ HOME ] [ CONTACT ]		The Birds of NSW Wetlands - The Bitterns *Order - Ciconiiformes* Little Bittern Black Bittern (A Vulnerable Species) Australasian Bittern (Vulnerable) References and Further Reading Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus *General Characteristics:* Male plumage largely cinnamon in colour. Both sexes have black crown, back, wings and tail. A shy bird, rarely seen outside of dense reed beds. Feeds alone, usually at night. Build their nests just above the water surface using reeds and rushes. *Diet:* Insects and small vertebrates. *Habitat:* Freshwater reed beds. *Distribution in NSW: Found throughout most of NSW. [ TOP ] Black Bittern (A vulnerable species)* *Ixobrychus flavicollis* *General Characteristics:* The largest of the small bitterns. Males have grey-black wings, back and face, white throat. Females are browner and paler than males, with a yellow patch on cheeks. Often nest in trees over water. Hunt at dusk and dawn. Listed as vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. *Diet:* Fish, amphibians, molluscs and insects. *Habitat:* Requires dense riparian vegetation. Forested rivers, inlets and estuarine wetlands. *Distribution in NSW: Mainly found along the east coast. [ TOP ] Australasian Bittern (Vulnerable) Botaurus poiciloptilus* *Source: NPWS* *General Characteristics:* A secretive bird that is rarely seen, even though it is the largest of the Australian Bitterns. Deep brown, mottled plumage, brown stripe running from bill down each side of the neck, lighter brown throat and chest. A solitary hunter. Nests in amongst dense reeds. Listed as vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. *Diet:* Amphibians, fish, crustaceans, snails, mice and insects. *Habitat:* Reed filled freshwater and estuarine swamps and lagoons. *Distribution in NSW: Found throughout the State, except for the north east of the State. [ TOP ] References and Further Reading* Fullagar, P. J. and Davey, C. C. 1983. Herons, Egrets, Ibises and Spoonbills. Order: Ciconiiformes. In "Wetlands in New South Wales". (Ed C. Haigh). National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW. Readers Digest. 1988. Readers Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader’s Digest, Sydney.

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	Copyright © 2000 - NSW Department of Natural Resources www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au