Horned Coot
NameHorned Coot
Common NameHorned Coot
Scientific NameFulica cornuta
FamilyRallidae
Wingspan (cm)75
Length (cm)55
Weight (g)1750
Plumage DetailsEntirely sooty black plumage covers the body, head, and neck. The most striking feature is the large, blackish-brown fleshy frontal shield or 'horn'. It has a bright yellow bill with a reddish base and distinctive red eyes. Its legs and feet are dark grey.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of harsh, guttural calls and croaks, often described as 'krr-krr' or 'krok-krok'. They also produce softer clucking sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetland, mountain
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeFound in high-altitude lakes of the Andes mountains, primarily in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Identifying Featureslarge fleshy horn on forehead, sooty black plumage, yellow bill with reddish base, red eyes, dark grey legs and feet, large size
Description
The Horned Coot is a large, dark-plumaged aquatic bird distinguished by a prominent fleshy, horn-like growth on its forehead. It inhabits high-altitude Andean lakes, where it constructs massive nests primarily from stones.
