Fulica cornuta
The Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta) is a distinctive and robust waterfowl species, immediately recognizable by its unique cranial ornamentation. Sporting a dark slate-gray body, blackish head and neck, and vivid deep red eyes, its most striking features are a bright yellow bill, a prominent blood-red frontal shield, and three fleshy, horn-like caruncles (often reddish-brown or orange) arranged prominently on its forehead. These 'horns' are not bone but soft, erectile protuberances that likely pl...
Found exclusively in high-altitude (3500-5000 meters) Andean wetlands, particularly large, often brackish or saline lakes with sparse emergent vegetation.
Feeds predominantly on aquatic macrophytes, grazing on submerged and emergent vegetation. Supplement its diet with small amounts of aquatic invertebrates.
Primarily diurnal, the Horned Coot spends almost its entire life on the water, foraging and roosting in the open. It is a highly territorial species, especially during the breeding season, with pairs aggressively defending their space against rivals through dramatic chases and even physical alter...
The Horned Coot is a resident species, restricted to the high-altitude wetlands of the Andes Mountains in South America. Its distribution spans from extreme southern Peru, through western Bolivia and northern Chile, extending into northwestern Argentina. This species is primarily found in the Alt...
Least Concern
- The Horned Coot is the only bird species known to habitually use stones, sometimes weighing up to 1.5 kg, to build the foundations of its nest. - Its 'horns' are not true bony structures but fleshy caruncles, which can become more prominent during breeding season displays. - This species lives ...