Description: Approximately 45 cm large coot, with a robust body and compact appearance, overall dark slate-gray coloration, with head and neck appearing darker, almost black. It presents a rounded, prominent, bulbous frontal shield, generally burgundy or dark red in color, although it can vary significantly (with individuals showing a paler or whitish shield). The bill is short, tall, and robust, yellow with an ivory base. Legs are yellowish-green to grayish, with long toes bearing lateral lobes. In flight, it may show whitish wing edges. Sexes are similar. Juveniles are duller, dark gray, with a paler face and an underdeveloped shield.
Geographic distribution: It is widely distributed along the Andes from Colombia to northwestern Argentina and northern Chile. In Argentina it inhabits high Andean and Puna environments of the northwest, mainly in Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca, although there are occasional records further south as far as Mendoza.
Habitat: It inhabits high Andean and Puna lagoons, lakes, and wetlands, generally with abundant aquatic vegetation, both submerged and emergent; mainly between 2,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level.
Feeding: Primarily herbivorous, it consumes aquatic vegetation (such as Chara, Myriophyllum, and Elodea), which it obtains by swimming, diving, or grazing along the shores. It often feeds in groups, sometimes together with other species.
Behavior: It is a gregarious species, capable of forming flocks and associating with other aquatic birds in feeding areas. It feeds in shallow waters with dense vegetation; it can dive to obtain food, reaching certain depths, and also moves by walking on floating vegetation or along shores. During the breeding season it is territorial and can be aggressive. It is not very vocal, emitting simple guttural sounds.
Nesting: It builds floating nests or nests among emergent vegetation, generally in reed beds or on aquatic plants. It is a gregarious species during reproduction, although territorial in the immediate area around the nest. The typical clutch is around 4 eggs.
Conservation status: Classified internationally as Least Concern (LC) and not threatened in Argentina. It is a widely distributed species in northwestern Argentina and, in many areas, common, being one of the most characteristic coots of high-altitude wetlands. It is capable of using different aquatic environments, including artificial ones such as dams and reservoirs with vegetation.
Compilation authors: María Belén Dri and Diego Carús – 20/04/2026