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Eurypygidae - Sunbittern

Classification

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Eurypygidae

There is one species in this family. The sunbittern lives from Mexico to Brazil in woodland swamps and forests.

It is about 18 inches in length and has a long, straight bill; a long, skinny neck; a long, pointed tail; and medium length legs. It has mottled plumage that helps to keep it camouflaged.

Its most unusual feature is the large "eyespots" on its wings that are only visible when its wings are open. It uses these eyespots to startle prey! It also uses its wings during courtship to attract a mate. Male and female sunbitterns perform a courtship dance with their tails and wings spread open. Both the male and female build a dome-shaped nest in a tree and incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.

The sunbittern eats amphibians, fish, crustaceans, and insects. It wades in shallow water and stabs it prey with its sharp bill.

Eurypygidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game