Sunbittern

The sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) is a distinctive bird native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, recognized by its subdued brown, grey, and black plumage and stunning wings that feature striking eyespots in red, yellow, and black, which are used in courtship, threat displays, or to frighten predators. It belongs to its own family and genus, and has three subspecies that vary by size and plumage, with differences observable between male and female patterns on the throat and head. Closely related to the kagu of New Caledonia, the sunbittern and kagu share a common ancestry and similar behaviors. The bird's native habitat is the humid Neotropical forests with open understories near water bodies, where it forages for a varied diet of insects, other invertebrates, and small vertebrates, occasionally employing bait-fishing techniques, though this is primarily observed in captivity. The sunbittern nests in trees, where it lays two patterned eggs, with chicks that are precocial but stay in the nest for an extended period after hatching. Notably, the species has a unique feature known as powder down among its feathers. The sunbittern is characterized by its long, pointed bill and a short hallux, resembling features of shorebirds and rails, and showing different coloration based on the subspecies, which are spread throughout its geographical range from Guatemala to Brazil, inhabiting different altitudes and ecosystems.