Birdfinding.info ⇒ The Andean form of Common Gallinule is locally common in high-elevation lakes and wetlands in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, including popular tourist destinations such as Lake Titicaca and Lake Junín. It is usually present at several locations near Cuzco, including Laguna de Huacarpay and Laguna Huasao.
“Altiplano Gallinule”
Gallinula galeata garmani
Central Andean plateau, in lakes and wetlands from north-central Peru to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina.
Identification
Appears nearly identical to the widespread “American Gallinule” distributed throughout the Americas, but larger and darker.
Blackish overall, usually slightly browner on the back and wings—but some individuals appear all-black, while others have distinctly paler, medium-brown wings.
Notably larger than lowland forms in bulk and in the wings, which measure about 30% longer than those of other subspecies.
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna Pomacochas, Amazonas, Peru; December 3, 2019.) © Marcelo Corella
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna El Oconal, Pasco, Peru; December 2, 2019.) © Roger Ahlman
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna Huasao, Cuzco, Peru; September 30, 2016.) © Robin Oxley
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Humedales Chucuito, Lake Titicaca, Puno, Peru; May 25, 2014.) © Robert Gowan
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Humedal de Huayllarcocha, Cuzco, Peru; July 14, 2018.) © David Coates
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Purmamarca, Jujuy, Argentina; September 15, 2002.) © Tini & Jacob Wijpkema
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna Pomacochas, Amazonas, Peru; May 29, 2019.) © Michael Clay
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Islas Uros, Lake Titicaca, Puno, Peru; August 22, 2012.) © Tim Avery
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna Pomacochas, Amazonas, Peru; October 26, 2019.) © Jeff Harding
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, showing all-black back. (Laguna Huasao, Cuzco, Peru; September 3, 2018.) © Fernando Angulo – CORBIDI
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, showing blackish wings. (Bahia de Puno, Lake Titicaca, Puno, Peru; December 15, 2016.) © Frida Murillo
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, showing brown wings. (Laguna El Oconal, Pasco, Peru; November 27, 2020.) © Eduardo Jackson
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, showing brown wings. (Islas Uros, Lake Titicaca, Puno, Peru; September 26, 2013.) © Ryan O’Donnell
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, adult tending chick—note brown wings on this individual, in contrast to others present that had apparently all-blackish wings. (Laguna Huasao, Cuzco, Peru; September 3, 2018.) © Fernando Angulo – CORBIDI
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Humedal de Huayllarcocha, Cuzco, Peru; July 14, 2018.) © David Coates
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna Albarrancho, Cochabamba, Bolivia; September 19, 2015.) © Manfred Bienert
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Mayopampa, Junín, Peru; August 31, 2018.) © Ruben Delzo Ponce
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani. (Laguna El Oconal, Pasco, Peru; September 1, 2018.) © Mercedes Benavides
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, taking flight. (Lago Junín, Junín, Peru; May 29, 2010.) © Stephen Gast
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, subadult. (Termas de Puritama, Antofagasta, Chile; September 12, 2018.) © Roberto Cañete
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, juvenile. (Laguna El Oconal, Pasco, Peru; March 17, 2019.) © Daniel Orizano
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, adult and juvenile. (Laguna de Huacarpay, Cuzco, Peru; September 21, 2019.) © Roger Ahlman
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, juvenile. (Laguna Pomacochas, Amazonas, Peru; July 6, 2019.) © John Sevenair
“Altiplano Gallinule,” G. g. garmani, adult with juvenile. (Racchi Archaeological Center, Cuzco, Peru; March 31, 2018.) © Jon Iratzagorria Garay
Notes
Monotypic form, one of three potentially distinct forms of Common Gallinule.
References
BirdLife International. 2016. Gallinula galeata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T62120280A95189182. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T62120280A95189182.en. (Accessed January 2, 2021.)
eBird. 2021. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, N.Y. http://www.ebird.org. (Accessed January 2, 2021.)
Jaramillo, A. 2003. Birds of Chile. Princeton University Press.
Schulenberg, T.S., D.F. Stotz, D.F. Lane, J.P. O’Neill, and T.A. Parker. 2007. Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press.
Taylor, B., and B. van Perlo. 1998. Rails: A Guide to the Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots of the World. Yale University Press.
Xeno-Canto. 2021. Common Gallinule – Gallinula galeata. https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Gallinula-galeata. (Accessed January 2, 2021.)
1998. Rails: A Guide to the Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots of the World. Yale University Press.