Giant coot
| Giant coot | ||||||||||
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one adult and one young giant coot |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Fulica gigantea | ||||||||||
| Eydoux & Souleyet , 1841 |
The approximately 60 centimeters large coot ( Fulica gigantea ) is a member of the order of the crane birds .
Appearance
These birds have black plumage and a strong build. The beak is white above, the tip and the underside are red, the part behind the nostrils is yellow.
distribution and habitat
This species occurs in the Andes of Peru and northern Chile, as well as in Brazil . It lives in the mountain lakes of this area mostly at an altitude of over 3,500 meters above sea level. NN
Way of life
This bird species is diurnal. They make very different sounds such as squeaks, barks and the like. Ä. Of themselves that can be heard from a further distance. In winter these birds do not migrate to deeper areas despite the mostly adverse weather conditions. They gather in groups near volcanic springs where there are open pools and access to food. They are omnivores and prey on insects, small and medium-sized animals such as birds, mammals and fish, plant shoots, fruits and seeds are also on their menu.
Reproduction
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The female lays white to brownish colored eggs. The exact number is not known. The nest is made from aquatic plants near the water. The incubation period is approx. 1 month. The young have brown to black youth plumage. The young are fleeing nests and are looked after by both parents.
Hazards and protective measures
Since this species is still relatively common and no known threats are known, the IUCN classifies it as ( Least Concern ) harmless.
Etymology and history of research
Joseph Fortuné Théodore Eydoux and Louis François Auguste Souleyet described the giant coot under the name Fulcia giganteas . They named Peru as the place where they were found. As early as 1758, Carl von Linné introduced the generic name "Fulica" to science. This name is derived from the Latin "fulica, fuliga, fulix, fulicis" for "coot". The species name is derived from the Latin »giganteus, gigas, gigantis« for »giant«.
literature
- Christopher M. Perrins : The Great Encyclopedia of Birds. From the English, Orbis-Verlag, Munich 1996, ISBN 3-572-00810-7 , pp. 130, 132.
- Christopher M. Perrins (Ed.): The FSVO encyclopedia birds of the world. Translated from the English by Einhard Bezzel. BLV, Munich / Vienna / Zurich 2004, ISBN 978-3-405-16682-3 , pp. 206-211 (title of the English original edition: The New Encyclopedia Of Birds. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2003).
- James A. Jobling: Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm, London 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4 .
- Joseph Fortuné Théodore Eydoux, Louis François Auguste Souleyet: Voyage autour du monde exécuté pendant les anées 1836 et 1837 sur la corvette la Bonite commandée par M. Vaillant Capitaine de Vaisseau publié par ordre du Roi sous les auspices du département de la marine (= zoology . band 1 ). Arthus-Bertrand, Paris 1841 ( biodiversitylibrary.org ).
- Carl von Linné: Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, Cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis . 10th edition. tape 1 . Imprensis Direct Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm 1758 ( biodiversitylibrary.org ).
Web links
- Fulica gigantea inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.3. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2018.