Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca)

Order: Gruiformes | Family: Rallidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

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Age: Adult  | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lake Titicaca, Puno

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Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Mejia Lagoon, Arequipa

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Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Villa Marshes, Lima

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Age: Juvenile | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Villa Marshes, Lima

Identification & Behavior: ~43 cm (17 in). The Andean Coot is blackish with shades of gray. The bill, legs and forehead colors vary among individuals. Some birds have a yellow bill and red (nobby) forehead, others have a pale bill and yellow forehead, and other pale bill and forehead. The legs can be green or pale gray. The undertail feathers are gray. It is similar to the Giant Coot but is distinguished by greenish or pale gray legs, smaller size, and the lack of a bright red lower mandible.  Also, see White-winged Coot.

Status: The Andean Coot is common in coastal wetlands and Andean lakes and wetlands. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Gallareta Andina.

Sub-species: Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca atrura) Fjeldså, 1983. Ecuador and coastal Peru. Also, F. a. ardesiaca Tschudi, 1843. Interior Peru, C & W Bolivia, N Chile and NW Argentina.

Meaning of Name: Fulica L. fulica= a Coot. ardesiaca: L. ardesiacus= slate-colored.

See more of the Family Rallidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
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References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.