American Coot
Fulica americana
Also known as: Caribbean Coot
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
637 g
About This Species
A slate-grey waterbird with a white bill and a distinctive chicken-like head bob as it swims, often seen diving for aquatic plants or dabbling at the surface on ponds, lakes and slow rivers. It is gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large rafts on open water, and can be aggressive and vocal when defending territory in spring. Look for it year-round on freshwater in much of North America, with the largest concentrations on lakes and reservoirs in winter.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Observe from the shore or a boat at a distance that does not cause birds to dive repeatedly or scatter, since repeated flushing burns energy reserves especially in winter.
- Migratory waterfowl are protected under laws such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States and Canada, which restrict intentional harassment, though enforcement and specific provisions vary between jurisdictions.
- Staying on marked trails or viewing platforms around wetlands is generally the simplest way to watch without disturbing nesting or resting birds.
LCAvesGruiformesRallidae
Seasonal Activity
5,781,947 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
Traits
- Diet
- PlantSeed
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 637 g
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.