Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Andean Coot
Fulica ardesiaca
Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) — Cranes & Rails of South America.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) is a member of the Rallidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 988 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Fulica
- Species ardesiaca
Quick facts
- Weight
- 988 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Andean Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Andean Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA Colombia to nw Argentina.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 988 g, with a wing length of about 21.8 cm and a tail of around 5.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 595,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Andean Coot?
The Andean Coot is a very large bird that weighs around 988 g.
Where does the Andean Coot live?
The Andean Coot is found across South America with a range covering SA Colombia to nw Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Andean Coot belong to?
The Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Andean Coot eat?
The Andean Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Andean Coot migrate?
The Andean Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Andean Coot endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Andean Coot make?
1 real field recording of the Andean Coot — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Andean Coot's range?
The Andean Coot has a mapped global range of about 595,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Rallidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Vulnerable
Least Concern
More in Cranes & Rails
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern