American Coot

The American Coot, Fulica americana, is a large waterbird, of the family Rallidae.

Adults have a short thick white bill with a red spot near the tip. The body is grey with the head and neck darker than the rest of the body. Their legs are yellowish, with scalloped toes rather than webbed feet.

Their breeding habitat is marshes from southern Quebec to the Pacific coast of North America and as far south as northern South America. They nest in a well-concealed location in tall reeds. They are frequently seen swimming in open water.

They migrate from northern locations to the southern United States and southern British Columbia. They are often year-round residents where water remains open in winter.

These birds dabble or dive, also forage on land. They are omnivores, eating plant material, insects, fish and other aquatic animals.

These chunky birds require a great deal of effort to become airborne, pedaling across the water with their feet before lifting off. The way in which their heads bob when they walk or swim has earned them the name "mud hen".

Although coots look weak fliers, this species has crossed the Atlantic at least four times, with three records in the United Kingdom and one in Ireland. As of December 2003, an individual of this species was attempting to overwinter in Shetland, Scotland.