These are shown to other sunbitterns in courtship and threat displays, or used to startle potential predators.

The eyespots likely serve to startle or distract predators, especially young birds.

They are active at night, often feeding in large groups, and use the light to signal to other individuals, startle predators, and find small planktonic animals to feed on.

P. wahlbergi has a deimatic display in which it spreads its forewings, making itself appear larger and prominently displaying its eyespots to startle would-be predators.

As their name would suggest, they also have bright blue tongues often used to warn off or startle predators.

A noticeable behavior of Thomson's gazelles is their bounding leap, known as stotting or pronking, used to startle predators and display strength.

Bioluminescence may also be used to entice prey, and some species use colourful displays to impress mates, startle predators, or even communicate with one another.

Some bioluminescent species use their light to lure prey; others release bursts of light to startle and escape predators, the way squid release their screen of ink.

P. heterura flashes its brightly colored pectoral fins to startle predators and escape, but it may also use these fins to corner prey.

They have heavy, protective, scales, and the undersides of their huge pectoral fins are brightly coloured, perhaps to startle predators.