Andean Coot vs Marquesan Swamphen

Fulica ardesiaca compared with Porphyrio paepae

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andean Coot Marquesan Swamphen
Scientific Name Fulica ardesiaca Porphyrio paepae
Order Gruiformes Gruiformes
Family Rallidae Rallidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Extinct
Length
Wingspan 43.6 cm (17.2 in)
Weight 1000.0 g (35.27 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 4-5 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andean Coot only

None

Marquesan Swamphen only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andean Coot

Extinct

Marquesan Swamphen

About These Birds

Andean Coot

Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) is a 38–43 cm coot of Andean high-altitude wetlands in Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile, typically above 3,000 m. Dark slaty-grey with white bill and frontal shield, often with yellow-orange shield in breeding season. Inhabits puna lakes and bofedales. Feeds on aquatic plants.

Marquesan Swamphen

Marquesan Swamphen (Porphyrio paepae) is an extinct flightless swamphen known only from subfossil bones from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Lost following Polynesian settlement and later European contact. Part of the broader pattern of Pacific island rail extinctions linked to human arrival and introduced rats.

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