Giant Coot

Fulica gigantea Eydoux & Souleyet, 1841

Giant Coot, Fulica gigantea, is a rail of the high Andes in South America, breeding from Peru to north-west Argentina. It lives on the Altiplano, where it uses ponds and lakes, especially those with weedy shallows. Adults are too heavy to fly and have a bulky build with a small head. They are deep slaty grey, darker on the head and neck, with a red bill, yellow frontal shield, and red legs and feet, which are distinctive among coots.

Order

Gruiformes

Family

Rallidae — Rails, Crakes & Coots

Breeding range

South America: Peru to nw Argentina