For bird enthusiasts visiting the mountains of Costa Rica is an exciting experience anyway. As you stand by the edge of a rushing river near Turrialba in Costa Rica, something remarkable happens—a sudden burst of color, a flash of patterned wings. For a moment, the bird seems suspended in midair, its intricate plumage illuminated by dappled sunlight. Then, just as quickly, it vanishes behind the next curve of the river. We just witnessed Eurypyga helias in motion—the enigmatic Sunbittern.
Unlike true bitterns of the Ardeidae family, Sunbittern belongs to its own monotypic family, Eurypygidae, setting it apart from herons and egrets despite its similar wading behavior. This bird, found in the humid lowlands and lower mountains of Central and South America, is a master of camouflage. When at rest, its mottled brown and grey plumage blends seamlessly with the forest floor. However, in flight, its wings reveal striking, sunburst-like patterns of ochre, black, and crimson—an evolutionary advantage thought to startle predators.
In Costa Rica, the Sunbittern thrives along fast-moving rivers and shaded streams, preferring clear, unpolluted waters. It is often seen at the La Mina gorge or near the Río Savegre or the Pacuare River, where the presence of dragonflies, small fish, and amphibians ensures a steady food supply. Using its slender, pointed bill, the sunbittern expertly picks prey from the water’s surface or probes through damp leaf litter.
Its flight, a slow and deliberate movement with deep wing beats, contrasts with the frantic energy of the river below. When startled, however, it bursts into the air with surprising agility, flashing its vibrant wing markings—a behavior observed in other species such as the Owl Butterfly (Caligo sp.) and the Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima), which use similar visual displays for defense.
Though often elusive, the Sunbittern plays a vital role in its ecosystem, contributing to the balance of riparian habitats. Observing Sunbittern in the wild is quite a rare privilege. For bird enthusiasts, spotting this living artwork against the backdrop of Costa Rica’s untamed rivers is an unforgettable experience.
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