Masked Finfoot
The Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personata) is a species of aquatic bird found in fresh and brackish waters in southeastern Asia, Indochina, Malaysia and Indonesia. Its habitat includes forest, wooded savannah, flooded forest, and mangrove swamps. This is a vulnerable species and the population has been steadily declining with numbers fewer than 10,000 individuals worldwide. Common threats are human disturbance and habitat loss. It is a protected species in Malaysia.
This bird has a long neck, a sharp beak and lobed feet which are green. Both the male and female have a black mask and eyebrow that contrasts with a white eye ring and lateral cervical stripe. The rest of the neck is gray and the breast is pale brown. The back, wings and tail are rich brown. The male has an all black chin while the female has a white chin.
The Masked Finfoot’s diet consists of aquatic invertebrates, including mayflies, dragonflies, crustaceans, and also snails, fish and amphibians. They are thought to be opportunistic feeders and will take some of its prey directly from the water’s surface. Though very agile in the water, they are adept out of water and sometimes will forage on the banks as well.
These birds are seen singly or in pairs and are very secretive and rarely seen. Because of their elusiveness, it is not known if they spend most of their time in water or on land. Breeding biology is also poorly known, but is thought to take place during the rainy seasons. The nest is pad-shaped and consists of small sticks above water. The female lays five to seven eggs. Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching.