Enigmatic Raupo Stalker

Kaoriki, the New Zealand Little Bittern

(RIP 1890)

The enigmatic Little Bittern had a close relative in Australia, but was larger, more chesnut in colouration and stripier. It was a shy and solitary bird that stalked through raupo swamps and salt-water lagoons. Seldom seen and little studied, they disappeared from the face of the earth only 20 years after getting formally identified. Now it has been replaced by the larger Australasian Bittern, a self-introduced immigrant.

Tomorrow's bird - probably the Huia. If I can get it looking right!