American Coot

The American Coot (Fulica americana) breeds mainly from central Canada to north Mexico. Winters from Canada and USA to Colombia. It is found in calm, open water with plenty of algae and other aquatic vegetation. Matures are 35 cm (14 inches) in height and 650 g in weight.

Head and neck are black, shading to dark gray on body and wings. Belly mottled with whitish. Sides of crissum white and tail black. Legs greenish, and bill white, with a small dark spot near tip of each mandible. Feeds on leaves of aquatic plants and small animals.