The Sunbittern is a great bird, a water-edge, found in the Neotropics, from the ranges of Guatemala to Paraguay and Southern Brazilian. The Sunbitterns have handsome patterned looks making them take the look of a rather distinct horizontal heron. The bird has a long straight bill with a slender long neck and tail that is long and protruding, as well as short legs for waterside prey stalking. It is a cryptic bird, generally, although has two sunspots hidden by the wings for display purposes and to make sure potential predators are startled. The reflection is even immaculate if the bird can be found along a still water body.

Geographical Range

Sunbitterns are South and Central American birds, largely occupying a good part of the areas around Central America, towards the Southern part of the Western Ecuador, Southern America parts on the eastern part of Andes Mountains via the portions of the Amazon areas in Venezuela, Guineas and Colombia as well as larger tracts of Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.

There was the thought that two Sunbitterns species existed earlier on, but since there are no specimens ever seen or sightings in recent times, this has clouded the view, placing the taxa found in central Peru as subspecies of the widespread species. There are also questions surrounding the fact Sunbitterns are also found within the southern part of Mexico.

Within intensely forested areas, for instance the Amazon basin and Central America, it is sometimes very hard to find and approach them, since it hunts in long rivers and streams that are clear. It is even so even in other areas as Panama, where clear streams can be found, as well as the Pantanal in Brazil and Venezuelan Ilanos. However, Sunbittern can be found easily on the open where it hunts along the periphery of ponds that are dried up, while it still likes to stay within the shade and any cover found along the area. It is along such edges that it makes use of its binoculars vision to methodically search for insects and frogs.

Habitat

Something interesting about the Sunbitterns is that they usually go for habitats that are forested and long permanent small or huge water sources. In this regard, it includes very fast flowing streams along mountains, rivers that are slow in flowing, areas along ponds and distinct swamps. These species are largely found along the altitudes between 300-4,000 feet above sea level, as much as they are also seen on higher grounds and elevations also.

People and Sunbitterns

People have found some useful features of the Sunbitterns and have used them tremendously. Since these birds are exceptionally reliable in catching spiders, flies and other small living things, people take chicks from their nests and raise them as pets. They also make a good delicacy and are hunted more occasionally.

Conservation

At the present moment, the Sunbitterns are not generally considered as being under the menace of extinction. However, since their habitats are being damaged and destroyed, their numbers have been dwindling within the parts of their range.