Andean Coot vs Giant Coot

Andean Coot

Fulica ardesiaca

Large988 gWetland

The Andean coot is 40 to 43 cm (16 to 17 in) long. It has two color morphs that are present in both subspecies. Both morphs are mostly slaty gray that is blacker on the head and neck. Their secondaries usually have white tips. One morph has a chrome yellow bill that is paler yellow and sometimes green on the tip, a deep chesnut frontal shield, and green legs and feet. The other has a white bill, a white to orange-yellow frontal shield, and slaty legs and feet. Voice: The Andean coot's usual call is "a low 'churr' or harder 'hrrp'" that is often repeated. Females make a "low chitter".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ruth Gutiérrez Oliveros · CC0

Giant Coot

Fulica gigantea

Huge2.4 kgWetland

The giant coot is the second largest extant member of family Rallidae, after the takahē of New Zealand. Adults are 48 to 59 cm (19 to 23 in) long. They weigh about 2,000 to 2,500 g (4.4 to 5.5 lb) and are too heavy to fly, though immature birds are smaller and readily fly. The sexes are alike. Adults have a bulky body and a disproportionately small head. Their plumage is deep slaty gray that is blacker on the head and neck. Their undertail coverts have some white streaking. Voice: Male giant coots make "alternating gobbling or laughing 'houehouhouhouhoou' and low, growling 'hrr' or 'horr' sounds". Females make "low, crackling 'chee-jrrrh' low squeaking or cracking sounds"; when with a male they also make a "soft 'hi-hirr hirrr hirrr...'".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Matt Berger · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Coot and Giant Coot.