Heliornithidae

/ˌhiːliɔːrˈnɪθɪdi/ noun

Definition

A family of small waterbirds found in tropical freshwater habitats, commonly called finfoots or sungrebes, that hunt fish and aquatic insects.

Etymology

From Greek 'helios' (sun) and 'ornis' (bird), plus '-idae' (family suffix), possibly named because they are active in sunny shallow waters.

Kelly Says

Finfoots have the weirdest feet—they're lobed instead of webbed like ducks, making them look like birds still learning to evolve, and they're incredibly shy, making them one of the hardest waterbirds to spot!

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