Rufous Night Heron

Umu kōtuku is a stocky nocturnal heron that established a small breeding population along the Whanganui River. Adults have a black crown and back, rich rufous wings, grey underparts and red eyes; juveniles are brown and heavily spotted with pale marks.

The established New Zealand population is centred on the lower and middle Whanganui River, with occasional records elsewhere. It feeds mainly at dusk and night on fish, frogs, freshwater crayfish and insects and roosts by day in dense trees.

Rufous night heron is a Coloniser under the NZ Threat Classification. The small local population remains vulnerable to disturbance and loss of river-edge roosts. Whanganui River evening roosts and quiet backwaters offer the most reliable opportunity.