A gray, duck-like bird with a dark head and neck, yellow legs, and a short white bill that has a red spot at the base between the eyes. The Coot can dive for food or forage on the land. They are excellent swimmers and divers, and are often seen feeding with ducks. Coots are heavy birds that must pedal across the water with their feet before becoming airborne.
Omnivorous, feeding on plant material as well as insects, tadpoles, fish, worms, snails, crayfish, and prawns
Fulica americana is a social bird species that lives in flocks. They can make a wide variety of noises, from grunting to clucking, as a means of communication, between each other and to threatening predators. There are two times a coot will splash: during mating season to attract attention and to discourage predators. Coots take a running start across the water to become airborne.
American Coots influence populations of aquatic invertebrates and plants and serve as a prey base for predators in their habitats.
Least Concern
