Survival of waterbirds with green feet seen to be at risk

Researchers estimate the current population of the masked finfoot to be between 108 and 304. ST PHOTO: LEE TIAH KHEE
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SINGAPORE - Among the most noticeable things about the masked finfoot (Heliopais personatus) - a waterbird that has previously been sighted in Singapore - are its feet, which are tinged a pale green. But the birds are increasingly a rare sighting.

A new study has found that their numbers globally have been reduced to about a fifth, due mainly to habitat loss.

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