Sunbittern

The Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas, and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae (sometimes spelled Eurypigidae) and genus Eurypyga and it is found in Central and South America, and has three subspecies.

In the Earth Responsibly and Tangled series, this species was rebranded as Terran Sunbittern to avoid the confusion with the other species of sunbittern in Sawintir.

Etymology

Coming soon

Physical Appearance

The bird has a generally subdued coloration, with fine linear patterns of black, grey and brown. Its remiges however have vividly colored middle webs, which with wings fully spread show bright eyespots in red, yellow, and black. These are shown to other sunbitterns in courtship and threat displays, or used to startle potential predators. Male and female adult sunbitterns can be differentiated by small differences in the feather patterns of the throat and head. Like some other birds, the sunbittern has powder down.

The sunbittern has a long and pointed bill that is black above, and a short hallux as in shorebirds and rails. In the South American subspecies found in lowlands east of the Andes, the upperparts are mainly brown, and the legs and lower mandible are orange-yellow. The two other subspecies are greyer above, and their legs and bill are sometimes redder.

The sunbittern shows both morphological and molecular similarities with the kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) of New Caledonia, indicating a gondwanic origin, both species being placed in the clade Eurypygiformes.

Abilities

The sunbitterns are mysterious birds that, when threatened, show off their huge wings, which have an eye-like pattern. This type of activity falls under the broad category of tool use. So yet, only captive birds have exhibited this behavior in sunbitterns.

Weather Phenomenon

Coming soon

Ecology

The sunbittern's diet consists of a variety of animals. Cockroaches, dragonfly larvae, flies, katydids, water beetles, and moths are among the many insects that are consumed. Crabs, spiders, shrimp, and earthworms are examples of other invertebrate prey. Additionally, they will consume vertebrate prey such as lizards, fish, tadpoles, frogs, eels, and toads.

The sunbittern's primary predators include dolphins, bull sharks, eagles, condors, crows, capuchin monkeys, caimans, anacondas, jaguars, and wild dogs.

Sunbitterns make flying displays 10–15 m (33–49 ft) high in the forest canopy prior to the start of the nesting season, which occurs in the early wet season. They lay two eggs with blotched patterns and construct open nests in trees. Despite being precocial, the young stay in the nest for a few weeks after hatching.

Behavior

One of the 12 bird species in five families that have been reported to fish by luring prey to within striking distance is the sunbittern. The Sunbittern in particular is a much wanted species for anyone who hasn't seen one. This is because the bird is unique, odd, and defies shyness to humans.

Distribution and Habitat

The sunbittern is found in Central and South America and has three subspecies. The three subspecies are recognized on the basis of plumage characters and size. The three subspecies are allopatric.

The sunbittern's range extends from Guatemala to Brazil. The nominate race, Eurypyga helias helias, is found east of the Andes in lowland tropical South America, from the Orinoco basin through the Amazon basin and Pantanal. The subspecies Eurypyga helias meridionalis has a more restricted distribution, being found along the East Andean slope in south-central Peru, in the lower subtropical zone at altitudes of 800–1,830 m (2,620–6,000 ft).

The final subspecies, Eurypyga helias major, is found at various altitudes ranging from southern Guatemala through Central America and the Chocó to western Ecuador. This subspecies may also be present in southern Mexico. It has been traditionally reported from the Atlantic slope of Chiapas, but no specimens are known and there have been no recent records.

Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant
Individual Type: Solo
Population Trend: Decreased/Increased
Population:
- Earth: 500,000-4,999,999
- Berbania (2500-present): ugh
- Reinachos: (2600-present): ugh
Locomotion: Airborne
Habitat: Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Mushroom Forests; Mushroom Fields; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain; Radiated Citadel; Volcano; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.
Earth:
- Extant (Resident): Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; France (French Guiana); Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela
Berbania/Hirawhassa:
- Extant & Introduced (Resident): none
- Extinct: none
Reinachos/Ityosel:
- Extant: none
- Extinct: none
Thatrollwa/Delphia:
- Extant: none
- Extinct: none
Sawintir/Everrealm:
- Extant: none
- Extinct: none
Agarathos:
- Extant: none
- Extinct: none
Jotunheim:
- Extant: none
- Extinct: none