This large endangered bird has become the first of its species to be fitted with a solar-powered transmitter in Western Australia.

The Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), a large bird in the heron family Ardeidae, is considered endangered in Australia and New Zealand.

As such, conservationists have fitted a bittern with a solar-powered transmitter so they can learn more about its habits and movements.

The Parks and Wildlife Service in Western Australia said: “A male bittern nicknamed ‘Bushy’ has become the first of his species in WA to be fitted with a solar-powered transmitter, meaning he’s now providing valuable information about his movements and wetland use to DBCA scientists and BirdLife Australia.

“Australasian Bitterns, which are endangered in WA, are rare and extremely difficult to observe so their habits and movements within and between wetlands are very poorly known.

“Information on Bushy’s movement will give researchers a previously impossible glimpse into the life of this rarely seen inhabitant of the wetlands of south-western Australia.”

The Wildlife Service said: “Bushy was captured in a wetland in the Lake Pleasant View suite near Manypeaks, east of Albany.

“As well as Bushy’s location, the transmitter records environmental variables like temperature, humidity and light intensity, and data that can be used to understand flight characteristics such as velocity and acceleration – information vital for the long-term survival of bittern and other wetland fauna.”

Birdlife Australia says on its website: “The Bittern Project was started in 2007 in response to concerns over the plight of the Australasian and Australian Little Bittern.

“Our research has revealed that the Australasian Bittern is indeed threatened and through our efforts has been added to the EPBC list as Endangered, while the Australian Little Bittern has less precise habitat requirements and hence not currently threatened.

“This project aims to help ensure the long-term survival of bitterns as well as other species which inhabit the freshwater wetlands.

“Australasian Bitterns specialise in living in dense beds of reeds and rushes, where they are surprisingly difficult to see, as they are particularly well camouflaged.

“Added to this, when alarmed, they stand still with neck stretched upwards and bill pointing skywards. Sometimes they even sway in the breeze, in time with the surrounding reeds.

“This combination makes them blend in remarkably well with the surrounding vegetation. It is hardly surprising that the species is seldom recorded.”