American Coot
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rhododendrites" title="User:Rhododendrites">Rhododendrites</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
NameAmerican Coot
Common NameAmerican Coot
Scientific NameFulica americana
FamilyRallidae
Wingspan (cm)60
Length (cm)38
Weight (g)650
Plumage DetailsAdults have a dark slate-gray to black body plumage, a prominent white bill with a dark band near the tip, and a reddish-brown frontal shield above the bill. Their eyes are bright red, and their legs and lobed feet are yellowish-green.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of clucking, cackling, and squawking sounds, often described as 'krr-krr-krr' or 'puk-puk-puk' calls.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsfreshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, wetlands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across North America, breeding from southern Canada through the United States and into Central America and the Caribbean. Northern populations migrate south for winter, while southern populations are resident year-round.
Identifying Featuresdark slate-gray body, white bill with dark tip, reddish-brown frontal shield, red eyes, lobed toes, yellowish-green legs, chicken-like appearance
Description
The American Coot is a chicken-like water bird with a dark, slate-gray body, a small tail, and short wings. Unlike most aquatic birds, it possesses distinctly lobed toes rather than fully webbed feet, which aid in both swimming and walking on land.
