The Australasian Bittern
Image from Bitterns In Rice
Sometimes called the Bunyip Bird because of its booming night-time call, the Australasian Bittern is a very secretive species that makes its nest in thick sedges, reeds and rushes on the edge of freshwater wetlands.
The Australasian Bittern is globally endangered, and is known to visit and potentially breed within the Hunter wetlands.
It is extremely well camouflaged with brown speckled feathers that blend into the reeds. It hunts for food at night and when alarmed adopts an upright stance and sways in the breeze like the reeds. No wonder it is rarely seen!
Once common in the Hunter Region, loss of habitat and the threat from feral animals has made the life of this shy bird a test of survival.
The Bittern or Bust interactive game and other resources below were developed by Hunter Wetlands Centre with support from Hunter Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, aims to raise awareness about this globally endangered bird.
Listen to the Bunyip Boom
Test your survival skills by playing the new interactive game Bittern or Bust: how long will you survive as a Bittern?
Suitable for adults and children over 8 years.
Game developed by DotJess
Original illustrations by Hannah Grace Life
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN?
Keep your cat inside at night time.
If you see a fox, report it on the Feral/Scan application.
Recycle, or put your rubbish in the bin. Don’t dump rubbish in nature!
Join your local bird watching organisation.
Seen a Bittern? Report it using the Birdata app!
IN LOVE WITH THE BUNYIP BIRD?
Bitterns In Rice Project
The Bitterns in Rice Project is about farming and wildlife conservation working together.
Hunter Region Landcare
HRLN is undertaking a Shorebirds project, including the Australasian Bittern.
BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA
BirdLife Australia has profiles on all sorts of birds, including the Australasian Bittern.