Eurypyga

Eurypyga is a genus of birds in the family Eurypygidae, and is part of the small order Eurypygiformes that also includes the kagu. The genus contains a single living species, Eurypyga helias, the sunbittern. The sunbittern is notable for its striking wing display; adults are brown above with pale underparts, and the closed wings reveal bold markings. When threatened, the bird can fan its wings to reveal two large eye-like patches on the flight feathers, a display used to startle potential predators.

Its range extends from southern Mexico through Central America into much of tropical South America, including the Amazon Basin. It inhabits riparian forests, swamps, mangroves, and other wetlands, often near moving water. It tends to occur singly or in pairs rather than in large flocks.

Diet consists of small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, and other invertebrates, foraged by slow wading in shallow water and along stream margins. Breeding typically takes place in sheltered vegetation near water; the clutch size is usually 2–4 eggs, and both sexes participate in incubation and chick rearing.

Conservation status: IUCN Least Concern. The sunbittern has a relatively wide distribution and is locally common in suitable habitat, although habitat loss can reduce populations in some areas. Taxonomically, Eurypyga is the sole living genus in Eurypygidae, which, together with Rhynochetidae (the kagu), forms the order Eurypygiformes.