American Coot

33-41 cm (13-16") Common to abundant. Open ponds, marshes.

Slate-colored duck-like; white bill with partial black ring near tip; small reddish-brown forehead shield; white outer undertail coverts, inner feathers black; greenish legs. Toes are lobed unlike gallinules.

Pumps head back and forth when swimming. Feeds by diving and dipping.

In flight, shows narrow white stripe along trailing edge of wing.

Song: croaks, cackles, clucking, grunts.

Videos

Distribution Maps

American Coot winter distribution map

American Coot distribution map