About the Sunbittern
The sunbittern is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas, and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae and genus Eurypyga. It is found in Central and South America, and has three subspecies. The sunbittern shows both morphological and molecular similarities with the kagu of New Caledonia, indicating a Gondwanan origin, both species being placed in the clade Eurypygiformes.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The bird has a generally subdued coloration, with fine linear patterns of black, grey and brown. Its remiges however have vividly colored middle webs, which with wings fully spread show bright eyespots in red, yellow, and black. These are shown to other sunbitterns in courtship and threat displays, or used to startle potential predators. Male and female adult sunbitterns can be differentiated by small differences in the feather patterns of the throat and head. Like some other birds, the sunbittern has powder down.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Sunbittern sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Guatemala.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Learn the Sunbittern for real
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