American Coot

The American Coot is a stocky, dark slate-grey to blackish waterbird with a rounded body, small head, and a distinctive short, chalky-white bill marked with a dark subterminal ring near the tip. A small reddish-brown frontal shield sits above the bill. Although it swims like a duck and is frequently mistaken for one, the American Coot actually belongs to the rail family, and its feet bear lobed, not webbed, toes.

Coots are common and conspicuous on ponds, lakes, and marshes throughout much of North America, often gathering in large numbers on open water outside the breeding season.

Key field marks

• Overall sooty-grey to blackish body plumage
• Short, chalky white bill with a dark band near the tip
• Small reddish-brown frontal shield
• Red eyes
• Greenish-yellow legs with lobed (not webbed) toes
• White patches under the tail, flashed while swimming

Similar species

Ducks have flattened, spatulate bills rather than the coot's narrow white bill, and true ducks lack the coot's characteristic head-bobbing swim. The Common Gallinule shows a red (not white) bill and frontal shield, along with a white flank stripe the coot lacks.

Habitat

American Coots use freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, slow rivers, and even golf course or city park ponds, wherever there is sufficient open water and emergent vegetation for cover.

Range and migration

Found across most of North America, from southern Canada through the United States into Mexico and Central America. Northern and interior populations migrate south for winter, while many populations in the southern and western United States are year-round residents.

Behavior

Gregarious, often forming large rafts of dozens to hundreds of birds on open water. Coots are notably aggressive and territorial during the breeding season, chasing off rivals and even their own older chicks.

Voice

A variety of grunting, cackling, and croaking calls.

Feeding

Feeds by diving, dabbling at the surface, and grazing on land, taking mostly aquatic vegetation and algae along with insects, snails, and small fish.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a floating nest platform anchored to marsh vegetation, typically laying large clutches of 8-12 eggs.