Black-backed Bittern
Botaurus dubius
LCLeast Concern
- Family
- Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae)
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
Overview
The black-backed bittern (Botaurus dubius), also known as the black-backed least bittern or Australian little bittern, is a little-known species of heron in the family Ardeidae found in Australia and vagrant to southern New Guinea. Formerly lumped with the little bittern, it is one of the smallest herons in the world. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Southwestern, northern, and eastern Australia (except Tasmania); winters to New Guinea.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Black-backed bittern
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
