Sunbittern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Eurypigidae
Genus: Eurypiga
Species: helias
Binomial name
Eurypiga helias

The Sunbittern, Eurypiga helias is a bittern-like bird of tropical America. It is however more closely related to the railss, but is in a family of its own, Eurypigidae .

It frequents forest streams, hunting fish in the same way as a heron. The wings are patterned with black, grey and brown, and are displayed in courtship.

The domed nest is built in a tree. Two grey eggs are laid.

The relationships of this species are shown below

Gruiformes

  • Gruidae: craness
  • Aramidae: Limpkin
  • Psophiidae: trumpeterss
  • Rallidae: railss and crakes
  • Heliornithidae: finfoots and sungrebes
  • Rhynochetidae: Kagu
  • Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
  • Cariamidae: seriemas
  • Otidae: bustards