Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta) lives in andean highlands across South America. It feeds on aquatic plants insects. Its conservation status is Near Threatened.
Fascinating facts about the Horned Coot
- During the breeding season the horned coot constructs a huge nest platform about 40 metres out from the shore on high-altitude lakes. The birds pile countless pebbles together until the mound reaches the water surface, creating a floating island. This artificial island is then covered with algae, providing a stable base for the nest. Each year the pebble structure is rebuilt, and the accumulated mass can be as much as 1.5 tonnes.
- Unlike most coots that possess a single horny shield on the forehead, the horned coot displays three distinct wattles on its head in both males and females. The central wattle is notably large and may become erectile during displays. All three wattles end in tufts of fine filoplumes, giving the bird its characteristic "horned" appearance. These structures are a unique morphological feature of the species.
- Horned coot males are slightly larger than females, measuring between 46 and 62 cm in total length. Their body mass ranges from 1.6 to 2.29 kg, placing them just below the giant coot in size. This makes the horned coot the second-largest coot species and the third-largest living rail worldwide. Its considerable size reflects its adaptation to the high-altitude lake environments it inhabits.
- It lives almost exclusively on high-altitude lakes between 3000 and 5200 m above sea level. The bird is confined to the Altiplano, occurring in north-western Argentina, south-western Bolivia and north-eastern Chile, with only a single vagrant ever recorded in southern Peru. Although it sometimes appears at lower elevations, such sightings are rare. This altitude preference ties the species to the cold, oxygen-thin waters of the Andes.
- The species is low-density, with only 5,000-25,000 mature individuals estimated in 2025. In Chile alone the count drops to about 620 birds, highlighting the fragmented nature of its range. Because the total numbers are so small, BirdLife International and the IUCN have classified the horned coot as Near Threatened. Conservation concern stems from its limited population and specialised high-altitude habitat.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouth America
HabitatAndean highlands
DietAquatic plants insects
About the Horned Coot
In the misty dawn of the Andean highlands, the Horned Coot emerges, its somber plumage glistening with dew as it glides effortlessly across the water, its powerful legs propelling it with a quiet confidence. With its distinctive horn-like feathers crowning its forehead, this enigmatic bird navigates the aquatic landscape with a serene intensity, its sharp eyes ever-vigilant for the slightest hint of danger. As it moves through the reeds, its soft clucking calls weave a subtle melody into the morning air, a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of this Near Threatened species.
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