Heliornithidae

The Heliornithidae are a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to grebes and coots.

They are birds of swamps and marshes which resemble the rails, but have long necks, bills and tails and slim bodies. They feed on fish and water plants.

There are three species. The African Finfoot is found in tropical Africa on streams in woodland. It builds its nest in a tree over water, laying two eggs.

The Masked Finfoot occurs from Eastern India down through southeast Asia to the Wallace Line. It prefers clearings in woodland and lays up to six eggs in a nest in a tree over water.

The Sungrebe is the species of tropical Central and South America. It is found on slow-flowing streams, and lays four eggs in a nest in a bush.

The relationships of this group are shown below

• Order GRUIFORMES
  • Family Aramidae: Limpkin
  • Family Psophiidae: trumpeters
  • Family Rallidae: crakes and rails
  • Family Heliornithidae
    • African Finfoot, Podica senegalensis
    • Masked Finfoot, Heliopais personata
    • Sungrebe, Heliornis fulica
  • Family Rhynochetidae: Kagu
  • Family Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
  • Family Cariamidae: seriemas
  • Family Otidae: bustards
  • Family Gruidae: cranes

Referenced By