The Andean Coot

The Andean coot, Fulica ardesiaca, also known as the slate-coloured coot, is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is found in the Andes from far southwestern Colombia to northwestern Argentina. Its natural habitats are swamps and freshwater lakes. The Andean coot is found in both North and South America. As they are found at a wide range of different altitudes, the populations that live at high altitudes have adapted physiologically to a low-oxygen environment. For example, Andean coots living at altitude have more capillaries per square millimeter of muscle compared to Andean coots living at sea level.