- Heliornis fulica
Identification
28-31 cm. Brown, long neck, black tail, long red bill, black and white striped crown and neck, black and yellow feet. Buff cheeks in the female and white for the male.
Distribution
Southern Mexico to northeastern Argentina and Brazil.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Tropical lowlands; swamps and marshes.
Behaviour
It builds a nest of twigs in a bush over water. 3-4 brown-mottled cinnamon eggs are laid, and incubated for about eleven days. The father possesses specialized pockets, or pouches, one under each wing, which carry the helpless young, even in flight.
The diet includes a variety of aquatic life, fish and water plants.
