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Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) The sunbittern is found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and in Central America.<br />
It is unmistakable and so unique that it is placed in its own family. Although it looks and acts a bit like a heron it seems to be most closely related to the Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus of New Caledonia, near Australia, so this relationship might go back to when Gondwanaland existed.<br />
When alarmed the sunbittern tries to ward off the threat by displaying enormous eye patterns on its wings.<br />
(source: <a href="http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/sunbittern.html)" rel="nofollow">http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/sunbittern.html)</a><br />
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(Picture taken at papagaaienpark Veldhoven) Eurypyga helias,Geotagged,Sunbittern,The Netherlands Click/tap to enlarge Country intro

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)

The sunbittern is found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and in Central America.
It is unmistakable and so unique that it is placed in its own family. Although it looks and acts a bit like a heron it seems to be most closely related to the Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus of New Caledonia, near Australia, so this relationship might go back to when Gondwanaland existed.
When alarmed the sunbittern tries to ward off the threat by displaying enormous eye patterns on its wings.
(source: http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/sunbittern.html)

(Picture taken at papagaaienpark Veldhoven)

    comments (1)

  1. Such a pretty bird. Here's a video of its display:

    Posted 13 years ago

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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.

Similar species: Kagu And Sunbittern
Species identified by DragonC
View Joost Thissen's profile

By Joost Thissen

Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives
Uploaded Jan 12, 2012. Captured Jan 2, 2012 15:21.
  • SLT-A55V
  • f/2.8
  • ISO800
  • 90mm