These birds, though called bitterns, aren't really part of the bittern family. A nineteenth century bird book called them "Peacock Herons" and that fits very well, since they look a lot like herons and they open their tails to display like peacocks. They can be found in parts of Central and South America. They look a bit ordinary at first, but if you watch the second video above, you'll see that their display is anything but ordinary.
Quiet Sunbittern
Opens his wings to the sun
Suddenly dazzles
©Ruth Bowen Hersey
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