Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Red-gartered Coot
Fulica armillata
Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) — Cranes & Rails of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) is a member of the Rallidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 1 kg. 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 armillata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1 kg
- 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 Red-gartered Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Red-gartered Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) is a member of the Rallidae family, within the order Gruiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA Southern Cone.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1 kg, with a wing length of about 20.2 cm and a tail of around 5.2 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 2.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-gartered Coot?
The Red-gartered Coot is a very large bird that weighs around 1 kg.
Where does the Red-gartered Coot live?
The Red-gartered Coot is found across South America with a range covering SA Southern Cone, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Red-gartered Coot belong to?
The Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Red-gartered Coot eat?
The Red-gartered Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Red-gartered Coot migrate?
The Red-gartered Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red-gartered 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 Red-gartered Coot make?
1 real field recording of the Red-gartered Coot can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Red-gartered Coot's range?
The Red-gartered Coot has a mapped global range of about 2.7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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