coot

coot, common name for a migratory marsh bird related to rails and gallinules and found in North America and Europe. The American coot (Fulica americana), or mud hen, is slate gray with a white bill, black head and neck, and white wing edgings and tail patch. It has lobed toes and is a skillful swimmer and diver but takes flight awkwardly, pattering the water to gain impetus. It eats aquatic plants and insects. Gregarious except during breeding, the male broods eggs and chicks at night. The European species inhabits the northern regions; there are seven species in South America alone. Coots are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Gruiformes, family Rallidae.

Any of 10 species of ducklike waterbirds (genus Fulica) in the rail family. Coots are found worldwide in larger inland waters and streams, where they swim and bob for food, mostly plants, seeds, mollusks, and worms. They have greenish or bluish gray feet, with toes fringed by a lobed membrane that helps them swim and walk over marshes. The short conical beak is topped by a flattened, fleshy shield that extends onto the forehead. The European coot is about 18 in. (45 cm) long and weighs 2 lbs (900 g). The coot of North America resembles the European species.

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Coots , are medium-sized water birds which are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water. They are close relatives of the moorhen.

The greatest species variety is in South America, and it is likely that the genus originated there. They are common in Europe and North America.

They have prominent frontal shields or other decoration on the forehead, and coloured bills, and many, but not all, have white on the under tail. Like other rails, they have lobed toes.

They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers, although northern species are nevertheless capable of covering long distances; the American Coot has reached Great Britain and Ireland on rare occasions. Those species that migrate do so at night.

Coots can walk and run vigorously on strong legs, and have long toes that are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces.

These birds are omnivorous, taking mainly plant material, but also small animals and eggs. They are aggressively territorial during the breeding season, but are otherwise often found in sizeable flocks on the shallow vegetated lakes they prefer. A flock of coots is known in the US as a cover.

Species in taxonomic order

• Red-knobbed Coot, Fulica cristata
• Eurasian Coot, or Common Coot, Fulica atra
• Hawaiian Coot, Fulica alai
• American Coot, Fulica americana
• Caribbean Coot, Fulica caribaea
• White-winged Coot, Fulica leucoptera
• Andean Coot, Fulica ardesiaca
• Red-gartered Coot, Fulica armillata
• Red-fronted Coot, Fulica rufifrons
• Giant Coot, Fulica gigantea
• Horned Coot, Fulica cornuta
• Mascarene Coot, Fulica newtoni (extinct, c.1700)
• Chatham Island Coot, Fulica chathamensis (prehistoric)
• New Zealand Coot, Fulica prisca (prehistoric)
• Fulica infelix (fossil: Early Pliocene of Juntura, Malheur County, Oregon, USA)
• Fulica shufeldti (fossil: Pleistocene of North America) - possibly a subspecies of Fulica americana; formerly F. minor

Photo gallery

References

• Rails by Taylor and van Perlo, ISBN 90-74345-20-4

External links

• Coot videos on the Internet Bird Collection