American Coot

Fulica americana

Audubon Illustration

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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About the American Coot

The American coot (Fulica americana), 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. The American coot is a migratory bird that occupies most of North America. It lives in the Pacific and southwestern United States and Mexico year-round and occupies more northeastern regions during the summer breeding season.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Fulica americana
Family: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Order: Gruiformes

Similar species

Other members of the rails, gallinules, and coots family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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