Slate-colored Coot
NameSlate-colored Coot
Common NameSlate-colored Coot
Scientific NameFulica ardesiaca
FamilyRallidae
Wingspan (cm)62
Length (cm)42
Weight (g)650
Plumage DetailsAdults have a dark slate-gray body, black head and neck, and a bright yellow bill. A prominent red frontal shield (or knob) is located above the bill. Their eyes are red, and their legs and lobed feet are yellowish-green. White undertail coverts are often visible.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of harsh croaks, clucks, and squeaks, often described as 'krek-krek' or 'krr-krr' sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Andes of South America, from southern Colombia south through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile and Argentina. Also present in parts of Brazil and Paraguay.
Identifying FeaturesDark slate-gray body, Black head and neck, Bright yellow bill, Prominent red frontal shield above bill, Red eyes, Yellowish-green legs and lobed feet
Description
The Slate-colored Coot is a medium-sized aquatic bird with a dark slate-gray body and a distinctive bright yellow bill topped with a red frontal shield. It is commonly found foraging for aquatic vegetation and invertebrates in freshwater wetlands across its South American range.
