AVITOPIA - Finfoots

The three types of the family of Finfoots occur in certain tropical and subtropical areas of the continents America, Africa and Asia. Their body length ranges from 30 cm to 60 cm. The legs are short and strong with long toes carrying wide swimming flaps. Their habitat are rivers, lakes and swamps. They swim excellently, are rather shy and solitary and defend their territory. Their diet consists mainly of invertebrates, but small vertebrates and little vegetarian food are also eaten. For the American Sungrebe it has been proven that the young are completely helpless after an incubation period of only 10 to 11 days, but can be transported by the male in a skin pocket under each wing. The Sungrebe is the only bird in the world that can even do this in flight.