Sunbittern

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Sunbittern | status = Conservation status: Lower risk (lc) | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Gruiformes | familia = Eurypigidae | familia_authority = Selby, 1840 | genus = Eurypiga | genus_authority = Illiger, 1811 | species = E. helias | binomial = Eurypiga helias | binomial_authority = (Pallas, 1781) }}

The Sunbittern (Eurypiga helias) is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas.

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 bright colours are also used to startle potential predators.

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

Although the sunbittern is usually placed in the Gruiformes, morphologically the Sunbittern is close to the herons and their relatives and there is strong evidence that the Sunbittern is related to another doubtful member of the Gruiformes, the Kagu.

The sunbittern is normally found near wooded streams or creeks at elevations of up to 909 m.

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