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| American Coot |
American Coot Facts and Information with Pictures
This bird named American Coot, also known as Mud Hen or Marsh Hen, is a semi-aquatic migratory bird. American Coot is a diurnal bird and can be found in large numbers mostly in North America. During winter, these beautiful birds can also be seen as far south as Panama.
Many people make the mistake of considering American Coot as a duck but it is considered to be one of the members of the rail bird or Rallidae family. American Coot birds can be identified by their white beak, same color, toes and a small red spot between their eyes.
In American Coot birds, male birds appear much larger than female birds and they mostly look alike. Apart from this, their children are brightly colored. The food of American Coot consists of aquatic vegetation like algae but this omnivorous bird eats almost anything such as fish, mollusks or arthropods that can be around their beak.
American coots mostly inhabit wetlands and marshes and also live in open water bodies like lakes and rivers. But American coots mostly prefer to live in freshwater environments but American coots can live in saltwater environments during the harsh winter months.
Where Are American Coot Found
The American Coot is a water bird and is mostly found in North America near open water bodies such as wetlands, marshes, slow-flowing rivers, lakes and ponds. American Coots prefer freshwater environments but during the winter season they live in saltwater environments.
American Coots spend most of their lives in water and lay their eggs in floating nests. The color of the chicks of these birds is bright orange. Even though its bright orange color makes this bird more vulnerable to predation, parents prefer the chicks with the brightest feathers. Their bright feathers mostly disappear after 6 days and this bright feather in the chicks is recognized as chick ornaments.
Most birds of the Rallidae family are either too weak to fly or have completely lost the ability to fly. But the American Coot has not only retained its ability to fly but has also adapted to aquatic life by developing traits of becoming a good swimmer.
The American Coot is not at all choosy when it comes to food. These birds are extremely opportunistic eaters and will eat anything that their beak can reach. While the primary source of food for these birds is aquatic vegetation found in ponds, lakes, marshlands and other similar water bodies.
But these omnivorous birds have also been seen diving for fish and molluscs, worms, fish, aquatic insects are also a major part of their diet. The American Coot has also been seen scavenging and these birds are not above stealing food from other animals. This behavior of stealing food is known as kleptoparasitism.
Scientific Name Of American Coot
The scientific name of the American Coot bird is Fulica americana and the American Coot bird is considered to be a semi-aquatic, migratory bird of the Aves class. An American Coot bird Fulica americana is a migratory waterfowl belonging to the Rallidae family, which is mostly recognized as rails.
American Coots are the only members of the Rallidae family and it can be said about them that these birds have actually adapted to live a semi-aquatic lifestyle. American Coots migrate to warmer places depending on the change in weather and these birds migrate mostly at night.
Habitat Of American Coot
Aquatic vegetation is a major part of the diet of these birds and the habitat of the American Coot bird is an area with abundance of aquatic vegetation. Apart from this, these birds also make their nest on water and American Coot birds are the only members of the entire Rallidae family that have actually adapted to live on water.
This may be evident from the way the bird's feet have evolved as the feet of the American coot bird enable them to have good mobility on dry land and also make them good swimmers. American coot birds prefer to live in large flocks which have been observed to number in the thousands.
American coots are the only members of the Rallidae family that live in such large groups. Apart from this, these birds have also been observed to exhibit interesting group formations such as synchronized swimming, single-file lines and simultaneous sequential take-offs.
How Does The American Coot Look Like
The American Coot bird species are black or dark brown birds and have a bright white beak. The feet of the American Coot are yellow-green and if you go closer you can see that there is a small red spot on their forehead. The American Coot does not have webbed feet like ducks. Instead, the American Coot has webbed toes that help them swim in the water. Read- Royal Flycatcher | Fun Facts About These Beautiful Birds
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Length And Weight Of The American Coot
An American Coot bird is about 17 inches in length with a wingspan of 28 inches. The size of the American Coot bird is about two-thirds of the size of a mallard. Apart from this, the female is less than half of the bald eagle.
Even though the male and female of these bird species look similar in appearance, the body mass of the male bird is quite high. Female birds weigh 426-848 grams and the larger males can weigh up to 576-848 grams.
What Do American Coot Eat
American Coot birds feed on aquatic vegetation such as algae found in water bodies. But American Coot birds are opportunistic omnivores and also feed on arthropods, eggs of other marsh birds, fish and tadpoles.
American Coot birds resort to stealing food from others, a phenomenon known as kleptoparasitism. During their breeding season, American Coot birds have been seen eating more aquatic insects and molluscs as this forms the main part of the chicks’ diet.
American Coot Nests
The pairs of these birds remain monogamous throughout their lives. The mating season of these birds is during May and June. The American Coot has an elaborate courtship ritual that includes billing, i.e. touching, bending and nibbling etc. Mostly the male bird initiates the billing but as the bond between the male and female pair of birds becomes stronger, the female bird also initiates billing.
Once the bond between the pair becomes strong, these birds start looking for a territory so that they can start mating and breeding. Apart from this, securing a territory or nest makes the bond permanent for this bird. American Coot birds have been seen making nests floating on water.
The nest of these birds is a raft which can easily disintegrate and requires regular maintenance to keep it afloat. A normal nest of these birds is about 12 inches in diameter and can contain about 9 eggs. The eggs of these birds are pink in color and covered with brown spots all over.
North American coots are very defensive when it comes to protecting their eggs and can display aggressive behavior when provoked. This helps to reduce the loss of eggs.
Many American coots form pairs that remain monogamous and others choose a completely different strategy. It has also been observed in these birds that if a female bird is unable to secure a territory but succeeds in breeding then she lays her eggs in the nest of another pair and this phenomenon is known as brood parasitism.
How Long Do American Coot Live
The lifespan of an American coot bird in the wild is about 9 years. But there is evidence of an American coot bird living up to the age of 22 years.
How Fast Can American Coot Fly
Even though American coots have trouble flying in the air due to their short wings, once they are in the air, this bird can achieve a speed of about 40-48 kilometers per hour.
How Do American Coot Communicate
American coot bird species are more social and are very vocal. Apart from this, these birds can make a variety of chirping and grunting sounds.
Male birds and female birds have been seen using different types of vocalizations for the same situations. Apart from this, the sound of these birds includes a variety of repeated sounds used to communicate with each other. Read- Lyrebird | This Bird Mimic The Sounds Of Animals
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How Many American Coot Are There In The World
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the conservation status of American coot is considered to be of least concern and American coots can be found in large numbers throughout North America. It is estimated that about 6 million American coot birds live in the world.
This bird species is quite common in wetlands and swamps in North America and is quite widespread in its habitat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed the conservation status of the American Coot bird as least concern which means that this bird is not an endangered species.
American Coot Behavior
Like most birds, American Coots will avoid interacting with humans and it is best to view these birds from a distance. Like most members of its family, American Coots are considered wild birds and do not make good pets.
American Coot Facts For Kids
1. What is a fun fact about coots?
The longest lifespan of an American coot recorded in the wild was 22 years and 4 months. The paws of the American coot are not webbed like those of a duck, yet this bird is an excellent swimmer and diver. Apart from this, coots keep shaking their heads while swimming or walking.
2. How can you identify an American coot?
American coots appear dark brown to black in color and their beak and forehead are bright white in color. The feet of the American coot are yellow-green in color and if you look at this bird closely, you can see a small red spot on the forehead. Apart from this, you will find American coot eating aquatic plants in almost any reservoir.
3. What are the characteristics of American coot?
American coots are dark brown to black birds. Apart from this, their beak and forehead are bright white in color. Their feet appear yellow-green in color.
4. Why is it called Coot?
Coot is a type of bird and it is found in and around fresh water in temperate climates. This bird is mostly seen to be silent but when this bird swims then this bird makes a low repetitive sound which sounds like "coot", hence the name of this bird is "coot".
5. What is the nickname of American Coot?
American Coot is also known as Mud Hen or Poldo and it is a bird of the Rallidae family.
6. What is the lifespan of an American Coot?
The lifespan of an American Coot in the wild is about 9 years. But there is evidence of an American Coot living up to 22 years of age.
7. What is the behavior of a Coot?
Coots are a type of robust and adaptable waterfowl. But these birds belong to the secretive rails and they swim in the open and roam along the shore like ducks. Apart from this, these birds feel themselves at home in golf courses and city park ponds. Mostly these birds are aggressive and noisy in flocks and make a variety of sounds day or night.
8. What is in the diet of coots?
American Coot birds are opportunistic omnivores and also feed on arthropods, eggs of other marsh birds, fish and tadpoles. American Coot birds resort to stealing food from others, this phenomenon is known as kleptoparasitism. During its breeding season, the American Coot bird has been seen eating more aquatic insects and mollusks as it is a major part of the diet of the babies.
9. Are Coots intelligent?
Coots are considered to be an intelligent bird and unlike other birds, the Coot bird does not fly around but stays in one place. This bird eats fish but it does not eat carcasses. The Coot bird builds its nest in the middle of water or on a rock surrounded by water and when it sees a storm coming it returns to its nest or dives under the water.
10. How rare are Coots?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the conservation status of the American Coot is considered to be of least concern and American Coots can be found in large numbers throughout North America. It is estimated that about 6 million American Coot birds live in the world.