Sunbittern
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| Eurypyga helias Pallas, 1781 |
The Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas, and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae (sometimes spelled Eurypigidae).
Although the sunbittern is usually placed in the Gruiformes, in some aspects of its morphology the Sunbittern is close to the herons and their relatives (which include bitterns) and overall the bird is most similar to another hard-to-place member of the Gruiformes, the Kagu.
It frequents forest streams, hunting fish in the same way as a heron. The bird has a subdued overall coloration, with fine linear patterns of black, grey and brown. Its wings bear large and wide feathers, which if fully spread show bright eyespots in red, yellow, and black. These are displayed in courtship and other displays, or used to startle potential predators.
The domed nest is built in a tree. Two grey eggs are laid.
The Sunbittern is normally found near wooded streams or creeks at elevations of up to 909 m.
[edit] Gallery
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[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Eurypyga helias. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 16 January 2007. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
[edit] External links
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- IUCN Red List
- Sunbittern videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Displaying Sunbittern at Central Park Zoo. Photo by Ferne Spieler.
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