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AMERICAN COOT  Fulica americana 35.5–40.5cm. Distinctive, chunky,

rather duck-like migrant waterbird of varied fresh and brackish habitats, from

lakes and coastal lagoons to wetlands with open water, mangroves, estuaries.

Locally in flocks of 100s, elsewhere singles and small groups associating readily

with other waterbirds. Feeds by diving and up-ending, also while walking on

shore, when big lobed toes distinctive. Juv. has extensively whitish head and

neck, attaining adult appearance over 1st winter. SOUNDS: Varied nasal clucks,

rough quacks, and gruff chatters, mainly in interactions; typically lower and

gruffer than calls of Common Gallinule; most commonly a gruff krreh, and

nasal, slightly trumpeting puh! STATUS: Fairly common locally Oct–Mar on both slopes, mainly in nw.

lowlands, smaller numbers to 1500m. A few may stay into summer, and exceptionally has bred in nw.

lowlands. (Breeds N America to Cen America, winters to n. S America.)

COMMON GALLINULE (MOORHEN)  Gallinula galeata 33–35.5cm. Fresh­

water marshes, small ponds, and lakes with reeds and other vegetation cover;

flooded fields; drainage ditches. Singles or small groups, locally loose

aggregations; usually near cover. Feeds mainly while walking, also swims readily.

Distinctive, with white stripe along sides, big white undertail-covert wedges;

attains adult appearance over 1st year. SOUNDS: Varied. Sharp, overslurred nasal

kek! and sharp clucking kuh, at times repeated steadily or in short series;

accelerating then slowing series of sharp clucks with laughing or cackling

cadence, tailing off with disyllabic notes, 2–5 secs, k’keh-kehkehkeh keh keh, k’eh,

k’eh.…STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common but often local, mainly in nw. lowlands and Central Valley,

to 1500m. (Americas.)

PURPLE GALLINULE  Porphyrio martinicus 30.5–33cm. Spectacular large

‘rail’ of vegetated freshwater habitats, especially with water hyacinth, reedbeds,

overhanging bushes. Feeds in open areas, especially on floating vegetation, but

often rather shy; runs or flies to cover when disturbed and climbs readily in

marshy vegetation, often fairly high in bushes. Distinctive, with long, bright

yellow legs and toes, large single white wedge on undertail coverts; note blue-

green sheen on juv. wings; attains adult appearance over 1st year. Cf. Common

Gallinule. SOUNDS:  Varied sharp clucks, typically more nasal, lower than

Common Gallinule and often repeated in faster series, sometimes speeding and

slowing slightly; overslurred wailing or nasal trumpeting meéah, about 0.5 sec, often doubled or in short

series, can suggest Limpkin. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon on both slopes, to 1500m. (Americas.)

JACANAS (JACANIDAE; 2 SPECIES) Small pantropical family of rail-like shorebirds

with very long toes that help them walk on floating vegetation; thus, also known as lily-trotters.

Ages differ, sexes similar but female larger; male takes care of young. Attain adult appearance in

about 1 year.

NORTHERN JACANA  Jacana spinosa 21.5–24 cm. Familiar bird of varied

wetland habitats with floating vegetation, from lakes and roadside pools to

flooded fields and mangroves. Singles or locally aggregations of 10s. Walks with

high-stepping gait, flies with quick stiff wingbeats and short glides, long legs

and toes trailing; bright yellow wings flash in flight. Only similar species in

Costa Rica is rare Wattled Jacana. SOUNDS: Loud screechy clicks and raucous

chatters. STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes; increasing and

expanding locally inland, to at least 1500m. (Mexico to Panama.)

WATTLED JACANA  Jacana jacana 21.5–24 cm. Rare visitor that resembles Northern Jacana in habitat

and habits. Adult distinctive, with red shield and bill wattle, blackish body; bright yellow in wings like

Northern. Imm. resembles Northern but soon develops red base to bill, small wattle. Birds with Wattled

bill pattern but some chestnut mixed in on body and wings are presumed hybrids with Northern.

SOUNDS: Similar to Northern Jacana but lower-pitched, often more nasal, buzzier. STATUS: Very rare and

irregular year-round (birds may remain for months); has occurred on both slopes and inland, mainly in s.

Pacific lowlands since 2000s. (Panama to S America.)