identify birds
- sort alphabetically
- sort by family
- sort by season
- sort by color
- sort by habitat
- sort by size
|
|
| sources & resources |
|
| about us |
|
| contact us |
|
|
|
|
|
American Coot
| Color: |
Gray |
| Size: |
15.5" |
| Season: |
Year-round |
| Description: |
Round, dark gray body with a white, chicken-like bill. Adults have a small red frontal shield at the base of the bill. Compared to other rails, this species is not secretive; it is often observed floating on open water, behaving like more like a duck than a rail. |
| Voice: |
Tooting sounds like a trumpet and clucking notes.
Click here to listen |
| Habitat: |
Wetlands with a mix of emergent vegetation and deep, open water, as well as lakes and reservoirs. |
| Interesting Fact: |
In the winter, flocks of hundreds to over a thousand American Coots may be observed throughout the state. During the breeding season most birds migrate north, but some stay to breed, primarily in eastern Arkansas. |
| Scientific name: |
Fulica americana |
| Order: |
Gruiformes |
| Family: |
Rallidae |
Adult Howard Eskin |
Adult, note lobed toes Howard Eskin |
Nest with eggs and young Amanda Griffin |
Adult and young Bob Smith |
In flight Ron Howard |
|
|
|
©2024 Audubon Arkansas. All Rights Reserved. |
contact us |
home
|
|
