Sunbittern at Pouso Alegre in the Pantanal, Brazil, 2019 (photo from Wikimedia)

5 September 2026

The sunbittern (Eurypyga helias), native to Central and South America, is a cryptically marked wader that lurks in the shadows and behaves like a heron. In its normal posture it is visually interesting but not stunning.

Below, a sunbittern in the shade stepped into a patch of sunlight (photo at top).

Sunbittern at Pouso Alegre in the Pantanal, Brazil, 2019 (photo from Wikimedia)

Sometimes sunbitterns are found in open habitats, such as this marsh where one photobombed a plumbeous ibis. (Also in the Pantanal, this photo was taken an hour away from those at top.)

Plumbeous ibis with a sunbittern in the background, Pantanal, Brazil (photo from Wikimedia)

The real reason to search for a sunbittern is in hopes that it will open its wings in the Frontal Display. This behavior is rarely photographed in the wild because it is a threat/defensive posture.

Two sunbitterns, one displaying, Rio Madre de Dios, near Manu National Park, Peru (photo from Wikimedia)

The spectacular Frontal Display of the Sunbittern has been documented only in threat and defensive situations, with little evidence supporting any role in courtship behavior. … The posture dramatically increases the apparent size of the displaying bird while exposing what may be interpreted as fake eyes. The defensive role of this display also is supported by the fact that … young Sunbitterns begin practicing the display at an early age and will make display attempts when threatened.

The best photos are taken in captivity when the sunbittern is saying “back off” to the human with the camera. We are mesmerized! Of course we approach.

Last March the North Florida Wildlife Center introduced a sunbittern to their facility. As soon as he appeared he told everyone to back off.

Stunning bird!