Horned Coot
A species of Coots Scientific name : Fulica cornuta Genus : Coots
Horned Coot, A species of Coots
Botanical name: Fulica cornuta
Genus: Coots
Content
Description General Info
Description
Horned coot males average a little larger than the female. With a total length of 46–62 cm (18–24 in) and a reported body mass from 1.6–2.29 kg (3.5–5.0 lb), it averages slightly smaller than the related giant coot as the second largest coot and the third largest extant species of rail. While most coots have a horny shield on the forehead, the horned coot has three wattles in both sexes. The central wattle is large and may possibly be erectile. The three wattles terminate in tufts of filoplumes. At the base of the beak and below the wattle is a fleshy caruncle which is whitish. The bill is olive yellow, brightening to dull orange towards the base. Unlike the giant coot, the legs of the horned coot are dull greenish. 
Size
53 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Horned Coot primarily consumes aquatic plants such as Myriophyllum, Potamogeton, and Ruppia, complemented by grass and seeds. These dietary habits include foraging for food in wetland environments, with adaptations suited to accessing plant materials in their aquatic habitats.
Habitat
The horned Coot is generally found in barren high-altitude Andean lakes, which may be either freshwater or brackish. These waters are characterized by an abundance of dense submerged aquatic vegetation. The species predominantly occupies environments within the desert puna zone.
Dite type
Herbivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
The coot occurs in the altiplano of north-western Argentina, south-western Bolivia, and north-eastern Chile. It is almost entirely restricted to lakes at altitudes of 3000–5200 m.a.s.l., but has occasionally been recorded at lower altitudes.
Species Status
It is generally a low-density species and the total population has been estimated at 10,000–20,000, with as few as 620 in the Chilean part of its range. Consequently, it is considered to be near threatened by BirdLife International and IUCN.
Scientific Classification
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