White Winged Coot

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: White Winged Coot
Latin: Fulica leucoptera
Other: Carqueja-de-bico-amerelo (Br) • Gallareta ala blanca (Es) • Gallareta chica • Tagua chica • Gallareta Escudete Amarillo
Family: Rallidae • Rails

The White Winged Coot was the most common coot in the area I visited, although there are two others that live in the area. Large groups were seen at some distance, often with Chilean Flamingos.

In Brazil, the White-winged Coot only lives in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and it can also be found in neighbouring countries. It can be differentiated from its two close relatives, the Red-gartered and Red-fronted Coot, by its lack of red in the bill area.