Sunbittern

The Sunbittern, Eurypiga helias is a bittern-like bird of tropical America. It is however more closely related to the rails, 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: cranes
• Aramidae: Limpkin
• Psophiidae: trumpeters
• Rallidae: rails and crakes
• Heliornithidae: finfoots and sungrebes
• Rhynochetidae: Kagu
• Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
• Cariamidae: seriemas
• Otidae: bustards