A black duck-like waterbird with white bill and lobed toes (vs. webbed). Despite swimming with ducks, coots are actually rails. Highly territorial — fights are common at park lakes.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The American coot, also known as a mud hen or pouldeau, is a bird of the family Rallidae. Though commonly mistaken for ducks, American coots are only distantly related to ducks, belonging to a separate order. Unlike the webbed feet of ducks, coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step to facilitate walking on dry land. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America. Groups of coots are called covers or rafts. The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old.
Source: Wikipedia — American coot Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Black duck-like waterbird with white bill and lobed toes (not webbed).
Similar species. Other rail species. Pied-billed Grebe (different bill).
Voice. Chitters, gabbles, harsh squawks.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Vegetation, aquatic invertebrates, small fish.
Behavior. Highly aggressive. Solitary or in family groups. Famous for territorial fights with other waterbirds.
§ Range
Across most of North America
§ Habitat
Lakes, marshes, ponds, sewage lagoons
§ Threats
Wetland loss, plastic pollution, vehicle strikes.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the american coot is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Don't feed at park lakes (creates aggressive behavior). Reduce waterside plastic pollution.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — American coot
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Fulica americana
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22692951
- iNaturalist · taxon 3892
- eBird · amecoo
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Fulica americana
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- IUCN Red List 2018
