The species lives in the rivers and lakes of western, central, and southern Africa.

The African finfoot is an underwater specialist with a long neck, a striking sharp beak, and bright red, lobed feet.

The African finfoot can be found in a range of habitats across Africa, in areas where there are rivers, streams, and lakes with good cover on the banks.

The finfoot feeds on aquatic invertebrates, including both adults and larval mayflies, dragonflies, crustaceans, also snails, fish and amphibians.

The African finfoot's conservation status is hard to determine, given its elusive nature.