Eurypygiformes (KAGO, SUNBITTERN) Details

Order Description :

Eurypygiformes is a small and unique order of birds that includes two distinct species: the Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) from New Caledonia and the Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) from Central and South America. Despite their limited diversity, these birds share some interesting characteristics.

Key Characteristics:

1. Body Shape and Size:

   • Both the Kagu and the Sunbittern are medium-sized birds.
   • The Kagu has a compact body, with a length of about 55 cm (21.5 inches), while the Sunbittern is more slender, typically around 43 cm (17 inches) in length.
   • Both species have long legs, which are adapted for walking on the ground.

2. Plumage and Coloration:

   • The Kagu is predominantly pale gray with a crest of feathers on its head, giving it a striking and distinctive appearance.
   • The Sunbittern has intricately patterned plumage with shades of brown, gray, and white. It is best known for its eye-catching wing patterns that resemble large eyes, used in threat displays and courtship.

3. Wings and Flight:

   • The Kagu has relatively weak flight capabilities and is mostly terrestrial, preferring to walk or run rather than fly.
   • The Sunbittern is a stronger flier, with broad wings that it displays dramatically to startle predators or during mating rituals.

4. Beak and Feeding Behavior:

   • Both species have long, slender beaks, well-suited for their diet.
   • The Kagu feeds on small invertebrates, insects, and small reptiles, which it captures on the forest floor.
   • The Sunbittern is primarily insectivorous, hunting for insects, small fish, and crustaceans along rivers and streams.

5. Vocalizations:

   • The Kagu is known for its loud, barking calls, which it uses for communication, especially during the breeding season.
   • The Sunbittern produces a variety of soft whistles and calls, often during courtship displays or to signal alarm.

6. Reproduction and Nesting:

   • The Kagu builds simple nests on the ground, where it lays a single egg. Both parents share in the incubation and care of the chick.
   • The Sunbittern also lays a small clutch, usually two eggs, in a nest built in trees or bushes. Both parents are involved in raising the young.

7. Habitat and Distribution:

   • The Kagu is endemic to the forests of New Caledonia, primarily in montane and lowland rainforests.
   • The Sunbittern is found near rivers and streams in tropical forests across Central and South America, from southern Mexico to northern South America.

8. Behavior:

   • The Kagu is primarily a ground-dwelling bird, highly territorial, and active during the day. It is known for its slow, deliberate movements and its ability to freeze and blend into its surroundings when threatened.

Eurypygiformes is a fascinating order that highlights the diversity and specialization of bird life, with both the Kagu and the Sunbittern being prime examples of evolutionary adaptation to specific ecological niches.

Bird Order Family List