Expert at remaining motionless among reeds, with its bill pointed skyward to blend with surrounding vegetation.
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
Habitatopen woodland, closed forest, sparse woodland, grassland, and waterbodies
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from January to February.
Range map
Range map
32approx hotspots
3933approx records
4states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
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
Typically hides and hunts in vegetation similar to other bitterns but occasionally perches visibly on trees and bushes.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
Western Australia
Commonly confused with
Black-backed BitternBotaurus dubiusTiny secretive heron. Adult male has black back, brown neck, and streaked reddish-brown underparts. Female and juvenile lack black back and have streaked underparts. Most commonly observed in early morning or evening clambering along the edge of reed beds.→Eastern Cattle-EgretArdea coromandaIn the breeding season, look for bright orange head and breast, as well as a brighter bill. Leg color varies from reddish or yellow during the breeding season to black during the nonbreeding season. Juveniles have dark bill. Always note relatively short, thick neck and short legs compared with other egrets.→White-faced HeronEgretta novaehollandiaeOften solitary. When disturbed it makes a grunting cough noise as it flies away. Young birds lack the white face so beware confusion with all-grey Pacific Reef-Heron, which has chunkier legs and more uniformly dark gray belly; found along rocky coast.→