Photo: Dario Niz / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-winged Coot
Fulica leucoptera
White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) — Cranes & Rails of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) is a member of the Rallidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 656 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 leucoptera
Quick facts
- Weight
- 656 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Near Threatened
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-winged Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The White-winged Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) is a member of the Rallidae family, within the order Gruiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA sc, Southern Cone.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 656 g, with a wing length of about 18.2 cm and a tail of around 4.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-winged Coot?
The White-winged Coot is a large bird that weighs around 656 g.
Where does the White-winged Coot live?
The White-winged Coot is found across South America with a range covering SA sc, Southern Cone, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the White-winged Coot belong to?
The White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the White-winged Coot eat?
The White-winged Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the White-winged Coot migrate?
The White-winged Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-winged 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 White-winged Coot make?
1 real field recording of the White-winged Coot — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-winged Coot's range?
The White-winged Coot has a mapped global range of about 3 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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