Sunbittern

Eurypyga helias

The Birds of the World website introduces the Sunbittern with this descriptive information:  Sunbitterns are found near forested streams in the foothills and lowlands of Central and South America. They feed primarily on insects and aquatic invertebrates, which they glean from rocks or catch with a quick thrust of their long, pointed beak. In appearance they are something like a cross between a rail and a small heron. Although these birds can often appear quite cryptic with their heavily-barred plumage, spreading their wings and tail reveals the spectacular sunburst pattern for which they are named, and which plays an important role in intimidation displays. Sunbitterns can be tamed fairly easily and are kept frequently in zoos, where there are many records of pairs breeding successfully.

I met my first Sunbittern on Thursday morning, August 24, 2023.  Our Jeff Parker Tour group had been staying at Southwild’s Fazenda Santa Tereza and on this morning we were headed south on the Transpantaneira Highway enroute  to Porto Jofre and ultimately the Jaguar Flotel.  It was along the Transpantaneira that I watched and photographed this bird, as it sat perched under some bushes.  Later in my trip to Brazil, I got what Jeff Parler called the “money shot”, a Sunbittern in flight.  I will also post those photos. For details of my Brazilian trip that include the sighting of this bird, look here.  Below is a photo of this unique bird, and then some photos from my subsequent sighting of the bird a few days later. .

On the morning of Sunday, August 27, 2023, our group was on the Piquiri River when we spotted a Sun Bittern.  We got excellent looks, including a brief moment when the bird flew a short distance for us.  I felt fortunate to get a “money shot” when the bird flew.  It is not super sharp, but it is close enough for government work!  Here are some of the photos I took that morning.