Matuku, Australasian bittern
are nationally critical and globally endangered
© Johnstones, licensed under (CC BY-NC)
Where you can find them:
In shallow water with dense raupō (bullrush) cover. If you’re lucky you can spot them feeding along the edge of raupō beds at Barton’s Lagoon, Boggy Pond and Pounui Lagoon. You may hear them before you see them, as matuku are known for their booming call in spring. They can also be found in parts of Australia and New Caledonia.
What they look like:
A large, stocky bird with mottled brown and beige plumage, and a light coloured stripe around or above the eye.
Did you know:
They are very stealthy birds – so stealthy that they are known for creeping up on their prey and getting so close they can stab them. Another tactic they use to camouflage is to freeze in an upright position with their beak facing the sky so they resemble raupō.