Bittern boom

• The Matuku/Australasian bittern is a nationally critical New Zealand native bird
• They inhabit wetlands and estuaries throughout New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia
• Ongoing habitat loss, predators, poor water quality, and reduced food availability are their main threats and have caused severe population declines
• Estimated NZ population of less than 1000
• Males make a very distinctive ‘booming’ call during breeding season (spring)