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American Coot

Fulica americana

MIGRATION

SUMMER

Size:	13-16" (33-40 cm)
Male:	Slate gray to black all over. White bill with a dark band near the tip. Green legs and feet. A small white patch near the base of the tail. Prominent red eyes. A small red patch above the bill between the eyes.
Female:	same as male
Juvenile:	much paler than adult, with a gray bill and same white rump patch
Nest:	cup; female and male build; 1 brood per year
Eggs:	9-12; pinkish buff with brown markings
Incubation:	21-25 days; female and male incubate
Fledging:	49-52 days; female and male feed young
Migration:	complete, to southern states, Mexico and Central America
Food:	insects, aquatic plants
Compare:	Smaller than most other waterfowl. This is the only black water bird or duck-like bird with a white bill.

Stan’s Notes: An excellent diver and swimmer, typically seen in large flocks on open water. Not a duck, as it doesn’t have webbed feet, but instead has large lobed toes. When taking off, scrambles across the surface of water with wings flapping. Bobs head while swimming. Anchors its floating nest to plants. Huge flocks of up to 1,000 birds gather for migration. The unusual common name “Coot” is of unknown origin, but in Middle English, the word coote was used to describe various waterfowl–perhaps it stuck. Also called Mud Hen. A favorite food of Bald Eagles.