Fulica americana
The American Coot is a delightful blend of comedy and confusion. This member of the rail family appears to have been made from leftover pieces of other birds: it has the bill of a chicken, the feet of a grebe and the body of a duck. When coots swim, their heads rock back and forth in direct synchrony with their swimming speed. American Coots are constantly squabbling with one another. They can often be seen running across the surface of the water, charging rivals and attempting to intimidate them. The distinctive calls of American Coots can be heard echoing across wetlands throughout the warmest months. Coots are also colloquially known as Mud Hens. |
I.D.: Sexes similar. Adult: gray-black, duck-like bird; white, chicken-like bill; long, green-yellow legs with lobed toes; white undertail coverts. Immature: lighter body color; darker bill and legs. Size: L 13-16 in. (33-41 cm). Range: fairly common summer breeder throughout the Rockies; uncommon winter resident on open water in the U.S. Rockies. Habitat: shallow marshes, ponds and wetlands with open water and emergent vegetation, such as cattail and bulrush marshes. Nesting: in emergent vegetation; floating nest, built by the pair, is usually made of cattails and grass; pair incubates 8-12 eggs for 21-25 days. Feeding: often gleans the water surface for algae, aquatic vegetation and invertebrates; also eats submerged water plants; sometimes dives for tadpoles and fish. Voice: in summer, calls frequently through the day and night: kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk. Similar Species: Ducks: all lack the chicken-like, white bill and uniform, black body color. Grebes: swim without pumping their heads back and forth; rarely seen on land. |
