American Coot Photo Gallery
Adult
Plump waterbird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Adults are dark gray overall with a white bill tipped in a ring of black.
© Daniel Irons | Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 07, 2020Adult
On land appears rather chickenlike. Note the long lobed toes that help propel it in the water.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryTexas, November 05, 2015Adults
Bulky-bodied, ducklike bird with small, pointed bill. Typically feeds from the surface of the water but sometimes dives.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 14, 2010Not all videos have soundJuvenile
Juveniles are pale grayish below with a pale bill.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 09, 2017Adult
With good views note the red eye and the white shield that is topped with red.
© Brad Imhoff | Macaulay LibraryOhio, March 22, 2020Adult and chick
Right after hatching chicks have bare red spots on their heads, rusty-colored down around their head, and a red bill.
© Megan Buers | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, June 05, 2020Adult
To get airborne, coots typically need to beat their wings while running across the water for many yards.
© August Davidson-Onsgard | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 05, 2019Habitat
Found in ponds, marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, roadside ditches, sewage treatment ponds, and saltwater inlets or salt marshes.
© nicole-marie pettinelli | Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, November 08, 2018Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.