Can you hear the boom? 🔊 That’s the mating call of the mysterious matuku/bittern, a large wetland bird more often heard than seen. Our staff, along with Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Fish & Game New Zealand and over 80 volunteers, put on our detective hats to record population estimates of the endangered bittern. This is an essential count to help us evaluate trends, prioritise habitat restoration and determine how to adapt to management. Learn more about the matuku/bittern here: https://bit.

Britain’s loudest bird is booming – quite literally. The population of #bittern is at a record high of at least 164 booming males. Tom Clare of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust tells us about their distinctive call. 🐦 🐦 🐦 | BBC Breakfast

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | BIRDS & Nature