Sunbittern
Eurypya helias
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Range and habitat:
The sunbittern live
in heavily forested water edges of the neotropics, from Guatemala to northern
Brazil.
Natural diet:
Sunbitterns eat insects, small fish, amphibians
and crustaceans.
Size / weight range:
This bird grows to be 18 to 21 inches
in length. Females weigh between 165-175 g and males between 195-220 g.
No dimorphic differences in sexes, meaning males and females have the
same features. They have long orange legs, a slender neck, a long bill
and a stout body with a small head and red eyes.
Interesting facts:
When the wings of the sunbittern are open,
the colors resemble an enormous eye that is often used to frighten predators.
Because populations are diminishing due to habitat loss, this species
is listed as Threatened.
Location at The Toledo Zoo:
Aviary
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