American Coot

## Description

The American coot (Fulica americana ), also known as a mud hen or pouldeau, is a bird of the family Rallidae. Though commonly mistaken for ducks, American coots are only distantly related to ducks, belonging to a separate order. Unlike the webbed feet of ducks, coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step in order to facilitate walking on dry land. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America. Groups of coots are called covers or rafts. The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old.

The American coot is a migratory bird that occupies most of North America. It lives in the Pacific and southwestern United States and Mexico year-round and occupies more northeastern regions during the summer breeding season. In the winter they can be found as far south as Panama. Coots generally build floating nests and lay 8–12 eggs per clutch. Females and males have similar appearances, but they can be distinguished during aggressive displays by the larger ruff (head plumage) on the male. American coots eat primarily algae and other aquatic plants but also animals (both vertebrates and invertebrates) when available.

The American coot is listed as “Least Concern” under the IUCN conservation ratings. Hunters generally avoid killing American coots because their meat is not as sought after as that of ducks.

Much research has been done on the breeding habits of American coots. Studies have found that mothers will preferentially feed offspring with the brightest plume feathers, a characteristic known as chick ornaments. American coots are also susceptible to conspecific brood parasitism and have evolved mechanisms to identify which offspring are theirs and which are from parasitic females.

## Appearance

The waterborne American coot has a small head and thin legs. Its dark body and white face is a common sight on nearly any open water throughout the continent, often mixing with ducks. Despite this, they are closer relatives of the Long-legged sandhill crane and the almost invisible rails than of teal or mallards.

## Distribution

In summer, American coots are found in New York and Massachusetts in the northern United States, and in southern Canada. During winter, they occur in the southern United States from Florida to California. Individuals have been sighted as far as Alaska in the north and South America in the south, always along waterways. Being freshwater birds, they live in the shallow parts of freshwater ponds, lakes, or marshes, and sometimes in brackish water. They occasionally live in manmade ponds in parks and golf courses.

## Behavior

American coots are diurnal social birds that live in flocks, and are the only rail family members to live in groups. These birds can make a wide range of noises, from clucking to grunting, to communicate with each other and also to threaten predators. On two occasions a coot will splash: in the mating season for the purpose of attracting attention, and also to discourage predators. Ospreys (a type of hawk) are their main predator. Since this species is more adapted to living on water than other birds, it is not possible for them to take off from a "dead start" like other birds, which can take flight when startled. Instead, in order to become airborne, they need to take a running start over the water. American coots are migratory, and they migrate as a flock, but their migration is weather-based and therefore is highly irregular.

## Diet

An American coot is omnivorous and eats invertebrates, algae, plants, and small vertebrates such as fish and tadpoles, occasionally, eggs of other marsh birds, also sometimes stealing food from ducks.

## Reproduction

American coots are monogamous and pairs stay together for life. The mating process starts with great show. Male and female both start off displaying in front of each other and calling to one another, while they splash about. The mating process starts on the water and finishes on the land. Breeding occurs around May and June. Both adults construct a nest of about 35cm across. Nests are at the edge of reed cover at the pond’s edge. They have a ramp leading into the water for easier access for the young. 8 to 10 pink eggs with brown spots are laid at a time. Both parents incubate the eggs, for around 21 to 25 days. They share the tasks of feeding and teaching the young, dividing the hatchlings between them. After a month, young can dive for food, and when they are 5 to 6 weeks old they can fly, becoming fully independent at about 2 months.

## Population

### Population threats

Although now widespread and abundant, the American coot suffered huge declines during the late 18th century and the early 19th century due to hunting and loss of wetland in its main breeding areas in the mid-west of the United States and in east-central Canada. This species in some areas is now regarded as an agricultural pest, such as on golf courses and in rice fields, and, being a listed game bird, about 8,000 are killed each year in Canada and about 880,000 in the United States.

### Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total American coot population size is estimated at 6 million individuals. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), but its numbers today are decreasing.

### Ecological niche

American coots affect the populations of aquatic plants and invertebrates that they eat. They also serve as prey for predators which share their habitats.

## Fun Facts for Kids

American coots are the only member in the rail family truly adapted to living on the water.

Coots are kleptoparasitic, meaning that sometimes they do not hunt for their own food, but steal it from other birds.

Nicknames for this bird are "mud hen" or "marsh hen", due to the way its head bobs when it walks or swims.

A group of coots is called by many names, including a "codgery", "commotion", “shoal”, “swarm” and "fleet" of coots.

Even though American coots swim like a duck, their feet are not webbed feet, as each segment of their toes has lobes on the side.