The Sunbittern is named for the "sunburst" pattern on its spread wings. But when their wings are closed, their plumage pattern is more cryptic. The Sunbittern is a unique bird formerly classified with the Cranes and Bustards, but modern genetics now places it in its own family (Eurypygidae). It is sister to the Kagu of New Caledonia with both now placed in their own order (Eurypygiformes). See SACC Proposal 451 for details. Three subspecies are recognized. This is the nominate race widespread in the lowlands of South America. Other races in the Andes and parts of Central America are grayer and less heavily barred above.
Reference:
MacLean, Sarah A.. 2010. Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; retrieved from Neotropical Birds Online.
Nikon P510