Bird: American Coot (Fulica Americana)

Length: 15.5"

Description: A sooty black duck-like bird with a bright white, thick bill and distinctive lobed greenish-yellow toes. Similar in stature to the Common Moorhen. Forehead shield is small and dark burgundy brown. Eye is garnet red. White patch is visible under tail. Immature bird is similar but is paler gray below.

Voice: Quick clucks are common with soft grunts and occasional harsh, trumpeting notes and cackles. Similar to voice of Common Moorhen, but over a more narrow tonal range. Audio is available at eNature.com.

Image courtesy Al Liberman

Feeding: May skim surface of water, or dive down to the bottom to eat submerged aquatic plants. Also eat the leaves of the Fireflag plant. Also feed on the berms.

Behavior at Wakodahatchee: Unlike the Common Moorhen, the American Coot is migratory and disappears from Wakodahatchee in the summer. In the winter they are very common and are often found feeding in large flocks. They may be found among flocks of Teals or other ducks. They are a social species and are rarely seen without a partner nearby.

Image courtesy Mark Eidemiller

Click here for more information on The American Coot from eNature.com