Sunbittern
Eurypyga helias
Sunbittern are not social birds and are often difficult to locate in the wild. They are quiet birds but can make quite an unusual mechanical sound. Sunbitterns catch their prey quickly by using their long neck and sharp beaks. When a sunbittern spreads its wings it displays eye-like designs, to scare off predators. The patterns on the wings can also be used for courtship displays, as well as a defence mechanism. The average sunbittern can be up to 60 centimetres.
IUCN red list status
The IUCN status of the Sunbittern is least concern.
For more information on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org.
Animal class
Bird
Conservation status
The IUCN considers the sunbittern not to be in danger of extinction due to abundant numbers.
Habitat
Forest and near water
Population
It is unknown how many sunbitterns there are in the wild. Populations are not evenly distributed but are locally abundant.
Diet
Carnivore. The sunbittern eats fish, amphibians, insects and small crustaceans.