FINFOOTS   -   HELIORNITHIDAE

Sungrebe Heliornis fulica Transpantanal Highway, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Male, because of the white (not buff) cheeks. The Sungrebe is the only New World member of the Finfoots, called that because of their wide, lobed toes. One of the most unusual features is the black and yellow bands on the legs and feet, but this is only seldom seen in the field. They're often shy, swimming or flying for cover at the first sign of any disturbance. Like so many other birds in the Pantanal, this individual was boldly in the open.

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