Help identifying this bird from Southern Brazil . I also noticed they usually stay alone in a particular area or, at maximum, two in the same location. Also, here we also have many Southern Lapwings, which are in the breeding season, and one of them sometimes attacks the bird in the picture (for apparently no reason). When attacked by the Lapwing, this bird bristles the feathers of his neck and just dodges the Lapwing's attacks. Does someone know what bird is this? P.S.: Sorry for the bad picture. I couldn't get closer to it.

That is _Syrigma sibilatrix_, the whistling heron. In Brazil we call it _"maria-faceira"_.

![enter image description here](

Here is _Syrigma sibilatrix_ page in Wiki Aves ("aves" is birds in Portuguese): <

Wiki Aves is by far the best source for birds in Brazil. It is a very well documented and reliable source, maintained by great ornithologists.

PS: Regarding the Southern lapwings: they are not really _attacking_ , they are just trying to drive off the intruder. And there is a reason: the lapwings nest on the ground. I was _"attacked"_ by them several times (I'm from the Southern Brazil), when I inadvertently approached their nest.