Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
American Coot
Foulque d'Amérique
Fulica americana
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Life, Habitat & Pictures of the North American Coots
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14" 35.6cm | 24" 70cm | 22.4oz 635g | Rallidae | Fulica americana |
North American Birds Calls
- Tap to hear Choice 1
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The American Coot is a waterfowl with characteristics of both a rail and a duck. This bird can be seen swimming in deeper water or seen in marsh type habitat with shallow water. The American Coot does not have webbed feet and instead has large lobed-like toes. The coot will run along the water surface in order to pick enough speed to become airborne. This water bird can be seen across most of North America, from eastern New Brunswick through southern Quebec, around the Great Lakes except for the north side of Lake Superior. Also into the Northwest and Yukon Territories, south to the base of California as well as all through Mexico and east to the southern tip of Florida including Maine.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
