Editing Sunbittern

{{Short description|Species of bittern-like bird}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Sunbittern
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|50|0|[[Early Eocene]] to present}}
| image = Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias).JPG
| image_caption = on [[Cristalino River]]<br />Southern Amazon, Brazil
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2020 |title=''Eurypyga helias'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T22691893A163625651 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22691893A163625651.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| grandparent_authority = [[Prideaux John Selby|Selby]], 1840
| genus = Eurypyga
| parent_authority = [[Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger|Illiger]], 1811
| species = helias
| authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1781)
| range_map = Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) Area.svg
| range_map_caption = Sunbittern range
| synonyms = * ''Ardea helias'' <small>Pallas, 1781</small>
* ''Eurypyx helias''
| synonyms_ref = <ref name = GBIF>{{cite web | url = https://www.gbif.org/species/2474332 | title = ''Eurypyga helias'' (Pallas, 1781) | access-date = 17 December 2017 | publisher = GBIF—the Global Biodiversity Information Facility}}</ref>
}}

The '''sunbittern''' ('''''Eurypyga helias''''') is a [[bittern]]-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas, and the [[Monotypic taxon|sole member]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Eurypygidae''' (sometimes spelled '''Eurypigidae''') and [[genus]] '''''Eurypyga'''''. It is found in Central and South America, and has three [[subspecies]]. The sunbittern shows both morphological and molecular similarities with the [[kagu]] (''Rhynochetos jubatus'') of [[New Caledonia]], indicating a [[Gondwana]]n origin, both species being placed in the [[clade]] [[Eurypygiformes]].<ref name="HBW3">del Hoyo, J. Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (editors). (1996) ''Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 3: Hoatzin to Auks''. Lynx Edicions. {{ISBN|84-87334-20-2}}</ref>

==Taxonomy==

The sunbittern was traditionally placed in the [[Gruiformes]], but this was always considered preliminary. Altogether, the bird is most similar to another bird that was provisionally placed in the Gruiformes, the [[kagu]] (''Rhynochetos jubatus'').<ref>Houde ''et al.'' (1997) Phylogeny and evolution of 12S rDNA in Gruiformes (Aves). In: Mindell, D. P. (ed.), Avian Molecular Evolution and Systematics. Academic Press, San Diego. Pp. 121–158.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Oliveira|first1=Edivaldo H. C. de|last2=Ferguson-Smith|first2=Malcolm A.|last3=O´Brien|first3=Patricia C. M.|last4=Tagliarini|first4=Marcella Mergulhão|last5=Santos|first5=Michelly da Silva dos|last6=Monte|first6=Amanda Almeida|last7=Furo|first7=Ivanete de Oliveira|date=2015-12-01|title=Cytotaxonomy of Eurypyga helias (Gruiformes, Eurypygidae): First Karyotypic Description and Phylogenetic Proximity with Rynochetidae|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=10|issue=12|pages=e0143982|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0143982|issn=1932-6203|pmc=4666659|pmid=26624624|bibcode=2015PLoSO..1043982F|doi-access=free}}</ref> Molecular studies seem to confirm that the kagu and sunbittern are each other's closest living relatives and have a similar wing display.<ref>Fain & Houde (2004) [http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/houde/Parallel_radiations.pdf Parallel radiations in the primary clades of birds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407204436/http://biology-web.nmsu.edu/houde/Parallel_radiations.pdf |date=7 April 2013 }}. ''[[Evolution (journal)|Evolution]]'' 58(11): 2558–2573.</ref><ref>Ericson ''et al.'' (2006) [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/abteilung/terrzool/ornithologie/neoaves.pdf Diversification of Neoaves: Integration of molecular sequence data and fossils]. Biology Letters 2 (4):  pp. 543–547</ref> They are probably not Gruiformes (though the proposed [[Metaves]] are just as weakly supported).<ref>Morgan-Richards ''et al.'' (2008) Bird evolution: testing the Metaves clade with six new mitochondrial genomes. BMC Evolutionary Biology 8 (20).</ref> Altogether, the two species seem to form a minor [[Gondwana]]n lineage which could also include the extinct [[adzebill]]s and/or the [[mesite]]s, and is of unclear relation to the Gruiformes proper. Notably, the kagu and mesites also have [[powder down]].

An indeterminate fossil eurypygid has been documented from the [[Green River Formation]] of [[Wyoming]], USA. This specimen, known from a full skeleton, is the oldest and only known fossil of the group, and suggests that eurypygids had a much more northernly range in the past. This specimen has been figured in several studies, and was given the unofficial name "''Eoeurypyga olsoni''" in a 2003 dissertation, but as-of-yet remains unnamed.<ref name=":04">{{Citation |last=Mayr |first=Gerald |title=Phaethontiformes and Aequornithes: The Aquatic and Semi-aquatic Neaovian Taxa |date=2022 |work=Paleogene Fossil Birds |series=Fascinating Life Sciences |pages=117–152 |editor-last=Mayr |editor-first=Gerald |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-87645-6_7 |access-date=2024-10-15 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-87645-6_7 |isbn=978-3-030-87645-6|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Weidig |first=Ilka |title=Fossil birds from the lower eocene Green River formation (USA) |date=2003 |publisher=Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg |url=https://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/year/2007/docId/1561}}</ref>

===Subspecies===
The sunbittern was formerly treated as two species (''E. helias'' and ''E. major''), but now they are treated as a single species with considerable variation between the [[subspecies]]. The three subspecies are recognised on the basis of plumage characters and size. The three subspecies are [[allopatric]].<ref name="HBW3"/>

* ''E. h. helias'' {{small|([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1781)}} – Amazonian sunbittern
* ''E. h. major'' {{small|[[Gustav Hartlaub|Hartlaub]], 1844}} – northern sunbittern
* ''E. h. meridionalis'' {{small|[[Hans von Berlepsch|Berlepsch]] & [[Jan Sztolcman|Stolzmann]], 1902}} – foothill sunbittern

==Description==
[[File:Eurypyga helias -Tulsa Zoo -USA-8a.jpg|thumb|none|Head]]
The bird has a generally subdued coloration, with fine linear patterns of black, grey and brown. Its [[remiges]] however have vividly colored middle webs, which with wings fully spread show bright eyespots in red, yellow, and black. These are shown to other sunbitterns in courtship and threat displays, or used to startle potential predators. Male and female adult sunbitterns can be differentiated by small differences in the feather patterns of the throat and head. Like some other birds, the sunbittern has [[powder down]].

The sunbittern has a long and pointed bill that is black above, and a short [[hallux]] as in shorebirds and rails. In the South American subspecies found in lowlands east of the [[Andes]], the upperparts are mainly brown, and the legs and lower mandible are orange-yellow. The two other subspecies are greyer above, and their legs and bill are sometimes redder.<ref name="HBW3"/>

==Distribution and habitat==
The sunbittern's [[range (biology)|range]] extends from [[Guatemala]] to [[Brazil]]. The nominate race,  ''E. h. helias'', is found east of the Andes in lowland tropical South America, from the [[Orinoco]] basin, through the [[Amazon basin]] and [[Pantanal]]. The subspecies  ''E. h. meridionalis'', has a more restricted distribution, being found along the East Andean slope in south-central [[Peru]], in the lower subtropical zone at altitudes of {{convert|800-1830|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The final subspecies, ''E. h. major'', is found at various altitudes ranging from southern [[Guatemala]], through Central America and the [[Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena|Chocó]] to western [[Ecuador]].<ref name="HBW3"/> This subspecies may also be present in southern [[Mexico]]. It has been traditionally reported from the Atlantic slope of [[Chiapas]], but no specimens are known and there have been no recent records.<ref>Howell, Steve N. G. and Webb, Sophie (1995) [[A guide to the birds of Mexico and Northern Central America]] {{ISBN|0-19-854012-4}}</ref>

The species is found in the humid [[Neotropical]] forests, generally with an open understorey and near rivers, streams, ponds or lagoons.<ref name="HBW3"/>

==Behaviour and ecology==
[[File:Stavenn Eurypiga helias 00.jpg|thumb|The sunbittern will open its wings to display two large eye spots when threatened]]
[[File:Ma_-_Eurypyga_helias_-_1.jpg|thumb|A sunbittern on display in the [[Natural History Museum, London]].]]
They are cryptic birds that display their large wings, that exhibits a pattern that resemble eyes, when they feel threatened.

===Feeding===
The sunbittern consumes a wide range of animal prey. Insects form an important part of the diet, with cockroaches, dragonfly larvae, flies, katydids, water beetles and moths being taken. Other invertebrate prey includes crabs, spiders, shrimps and earthworms. They will also take vertebrate prey including fish, tadpoles, toads and frogs, eels and lizards.<ref name="HBW3"/>

Sunbitterns are one of 12 species of birds in five families that have been described as fishing using baits or lures to attract prey to within striking distance. This type of behaviour falls within the common definition of [[tool use]]. In sunbitterns this behaviour has only been observed in captive birds so far.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ruxton|first1=Graeme D.|last2=Hansell|first2=Michael H.|title=Fishing with a Bait or Lure: A Brief Review of the Cognitive Issues|journal=Ethology|date=January 2011|volume=117|issue=1|pages=1–9|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01848.x|bibcode=2011Ethol.117....1R }}</ref>

===Breeding===
[[File:Song of Eurypyga helias.ogg|song]]
Sunbitterns start nesting in the early wet season and before it starts they make flight displays {{convert|10-15|m|ft|abbr=on}} high in the forest canopy. They build open nests in trees, and lay two eggs with blotched markings. The young are [[precocial]], but remain in the nest for several weeks after hatching.<ref name="HBW3"/><ref name=EoB>{{cite book |editor=Forshaw, Joseph|author=Archibald, George W.|year=1991|title=Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds|publisher=Merehurst Press|location=London|pages= 100|isbn= 978-1-85391-186-6}}</ref>
[[File:Eurypyga helias - Karlsruhe Zoo.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|none|Breeding]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sunbittern-eurypyga-helias BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/sunbittern-eurypyga-helias Sunbittern videos, photos & sounds] on the Internet Bird Collection

{{Eurypygimorphae|E.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q601107}}

[[Category:Birds of Honduras]]
[[Category:Birds of Nicaragua]]
[[Category:Birds of Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Birds of Panama]]
[[Category:Birds of Colombia]]
[[Category:Birds of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Birds of Ecuador]]
[[Category:Birds of the Guiana Shield]]
[[Category:Birds of the Amazon rainforest]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1781]]
[[Category:Birds of Brazil]]