Not a duck: Get to know the American coot

The American coot is far from one of the most well-known waterfowl out there, but winter is when its presence really becomes known.

An American coot. (Photo via Shutterstock)

American coots are dark, duck-like birds that are about 15 inches long. Read the five facts below to get more familiar with this adorable waterfowl. 

Not a duck

Although American coots look like ducks, they are part of a group a marsh birds called rails. The rail family is diverse and consists of many waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds. They get their family name, Rallidae, from their harsh cry. 

Lobed toes

Although coots float and swim like ducks, they do not have webbed feet. They have long, yellow toes that have fleshy lobes.

An American coot running across the water's surface. (Photo via Shutterstock)

They have weird feet for a couple of reasons: They act as paddles when they are swimming, and they allow coots to walk on squishy mud and vegetation. The most important thing about their strange feet is the shape helps them run across the water’s surface during takeoff. They use their lobed toes to give them enough momentum to launch themselves into the air. 

Floating nests

Coots build floating nests in marshes or shallow lakes. The female builds a nest from marsh plants like reeds and cattails. Then she lays between eight and 10 eggs in a clutch.  Both parents incubate the eggs for about 25 days.

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Words To Know 

Brood: A family of young animals, especially birds, produced at one hatching or birth.

Clutch: A group of eggs laid by a bird, a reptile or an amphibian in a single nesting attempt.

Flock: A number of birds of one kind feeding, resting or traveling together 

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Once the eggs hatch, the chicks leave the nest quickly and are cared for by both parents until they can get their own food. Coots raise one brood a year. If you were a coot, what would you build your nest from? 

A varied diet

Coots are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Some of the plants they eat include cattails, water lilies, duckweed and algae. They also like to eat insects, tadpoles, worms and small fish.

Their diet can change depending on the season and the availability of their food sources. When they are younger, they tend to eat more animal matter and will consume more insects and vegetation as they get older. 

Birds of a feather flock together

Coots like to cluster together and have been observed in flocks of 50,000 or more! Imagine trying to travel with that many family members. How many miles do you think you could travel?  Coots often only fly a short distance at a time, but they can migrate as far south as Central America! 

American coots. (Photo by Chad Merda)

These chicken-like birds are widespread throughout the United States. They love to hang out near water. Next time you visit a pond or lake, keep your eyes out for a black or dark gray bird with a white bill and red eye. Among the places you might spot them this winter are Rock Run Rookery Preserve and the Des Plaines River at McKinley Woods near Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.