Sungrebe
Heliornis fulica
The Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) is a uncommon finfoot found in 21 countries, weighing about 132 g. The sungrebe or American finfoot is a small aquatic gruiform found in the tropical and subtropical Americas from northeastern Mexico to central Ecuador and southern Brazil.
About the Sungrebe
The sungrebe or American finfoot is a small aquatic gruiform found in the tropical and subtropical Americas from northeastern Mexico to central Ecuador and southern Brazil.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Sungrebes, when perching or on land, show boldly banded yellow and black legs and lobed feet. The body plumage is mostly varying shades of reddish brown. The head and neck are strikingly patterned with a black crown and nape and white stripes along the sides of its neck, as well as a white throat and chin. The long tail (almost a third of the total length) extends well beyond the body in flight, and sits fanned out on or just below the surface of the water while the bird swims. Sungrebes are sexually dimorphic. Voice: Sungrebes use a series of 4-7 descending hoots as an advertising call before and after territorial encounters. During interactions they produce a yodeling quack similar to grebes and some diving ducks. They use a series of shorter, sharper barks and clicks when moving away from a threat.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sungrebe?
- Sungrebes, when perching or on land, show boldly banded yellow and black legs and lobed feet. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sungrebe?
- The Sungrebe is a medium sized bird weighing about 132 g.
- Where can you see a Sungrebe?
- The Sungrebe occurs in 21 countries, including Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Belize.
- What birds look similar to a Sungrebe?
- The Sungrebe is most easily confused with the African Finfoot and the Masked Finfoot.
- Is the Sungrebe endangered?
- The Sungrebe is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sungrebe for real
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