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Medium-sized heron of forested and vegetated wetlands, ponds, and lakes.
VIC: Vulnerable
Indigenous: Gamburrmurdu, Bunkalalakgalala, GäNdhaw', Gulukkulu, A-Bungalalakgalala, Gulu, Duburdubu, Galmanja, Gandhaw, Yellow-Necked Bittern, Yellow-Necked Mangrove Bittern
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeLarge
RarityUncommon
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from January to February.
Range map
Range map
190visible hotspots
437visible records
4states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
All ages and plumages have dark upperparts and orange, yellow, and reddish striping on the neck and breast. Female and immature average browner with weaker contrast than males.
Behavior
Medium-sized heron of forested and vegetated wetlands, ponds, and lakes. Typically hides and hunts in vegetation similar to other bitterns but occasionally perches visibly on trees and bushes.
Gallery