The family Heliornithidae, commonly known as finfoots, belongs to the order Gruiformes. Finfoots are tropical, freshwater birds found in rivers, streams, and wetlands across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are characterized by their slender bodies, long necks, and distinctive lobed toes, which aid in swimming and walking on soft, muddy surfaces. Finfoots are secretive and elusive, making them rarely seen, and they feed primarily on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. With their cryptic plumage and quiet behavior, they are well adapted to life in dense, vegetated waterways, playing an important role in controlling aquatic invertebrate populations.