adult; no sexual dimorphism (Zoo; 2011-11-20)


Sunbittern
Eurypyga helias

Native Range: Latin America

Notes: a mostly solitary, secretive bird found along well-wooded streams and rivers, wading along shores while hunting for fish, amphibians, and crustaceans; normally well camouflaged but can flash bright red-and-yellow patches when it spreads its wings, perhaps in a defensive maneuver.


frontal view; beautifully camouflaged (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

straight bill; red iris; bluish lines on face (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

white dots on side of wing (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

walks along forest understory (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

dorsal view; densely barred upperparts (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

mated pair (Zoo; 2008-11-30)

lighter band at end of black tail (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

posing for a portrait (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

posing for a portrait (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

posing for a portrait (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

holding out its wings (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

flashing the large red-and-yellow patch on its wing (Zoo; 2011-11-20)

posing for a portrait (Zoo; 2012-10-23)

threatening posture while on the nest (Zoo; 2013-05-29)

posing for a head portrait (Zoo; 2013-05-29)