any of several aquatic birds of the family Heliornithidae, of South America, Asia, and Africa, related to the rails and coots and characterized by lobate toes.
any aquatic bird of the tropical and subtropical family Heliornithidae, having broadly lobed toes, a long slender head and neck, and pale brown plumage: order Gruiformes (cranes, rails etc)Also called: sungrebe
