- Conservation status
- In serious trouble
A heavyset, exquisitely camouflaged bird in the heron family, the bittern is so elusive that most people have never heard of it, let alone seen one. Listen for the male matuku-hūrepo's booming call during spring – it sounds a bit like someone blowing across the top of a glass bottle.
Campaign Manager
Ecan
We are Environment Canterbury, proud kaitiaki (guardians) of one of the few remaining nesting sites of the Australasian bittern. Our team actively monitors these elusive wetland birds within our regional park, working to protect and restore the precious habitats they depend on. As a top predator in wetland ecosystems and a flagship species for wetland health, the bittern is both ecologically vital and a key indicator of the state of our remaining wetlands.
With growing knowledge of their behaviour, challenges, and habitat needs, we’re passionate about raising the profile of this critically endangered species. We’re ready to bring the boom of the bittern to Bird of the Year 2025 and rally Aotearoa behind one of our most secretive and treasured wetland taonga.
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