Herons (Ardeidae)

Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) - HBW 1, p. 428

French: Butor d'Australie German: Australische Rohrdommel Spanish: Avetoro Australiano
Other common names: Australian/Brown Bittern, Boomer, Bull bird

Taxonomy: Ardea poiciloptila Wagler, 1827, New South Wales.
Sometimes considered mere race of B. stellaris, with which forms superspecies. Population of SW Australia has been held to merit consideration as distinct subspecies westralensis; birds from New Zealand have also been placed in separate race maorensis. Monotypic.

Distribution: SW and SE Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand; New Caledonia and Loyalty Is.