Perch Supply
Rails and coots (Rallidae)

American Coot

Fulica americana. Aquatic plants, algae and some invertebrates.

Rails and coots (Rallidae)American CootFulica americana
Scientific name
Fulica americana
Length
15.5–16.9 in
Weight
21.2–24.7 oz
Nest
Floating platform of dead reeds anchored in vegetation
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
8–12 eggs
Incubation
23–27 days
Broods
1–2 per season

Identification

  • Slate-grey body with a black head
  • White chicken-like bill with a dark ring
  • Lobed, not webbed, toes

Voice

Grunts, cackles and croaks from marsh edges.

Diet and feeding

Aquatic plants, algae and some invertebrates.

What do American eat? · Best feeder for American

American Coots by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederMarch–July
AlbertaSummer breederMay–July
ArizonaYear-round residentMarch–July
ArkansasSummer breederApril–July
British ColumbiaSummer breederMay–July
CaliforniaYear-round residentMarch–July
ColoradoSummer breederApril–July
ConnecticutSummer breederApril–July
DelawareSummer breederApril–July
FloridaYear-round residentMarch–July
GeorgiaSummer breederMarch–July
IdahoSummer breederApril–July
IllinoisSummer breederApril–July
IndianaSummer breederApril–July
IowaSummer breederApril–July
KansasSummer breederApril–July
KentuckySummer breederApril–July
LouisianaYear-round residentMarch–July
MaineSummer breederMay–July
ManitobaSummer breederMay–July
MarylandSummer breederApril–July
MassachusettsSummer breederApril–July
MichiganSummer breederApril–July
MinnesotaSummer breederMay–July
MississippiSummer breederMarch–July
MissouriSummer breederApril–July
MontanaSummer breederMay–July
NebraskaSummer breederApril–July
NevadaSummer breederApril–July
New BrunswickSummer breederMay–July
New HampshireSummer breederMay–July
New JerseySummer breederApril–July
New MexicoYear-round residentApril–July
New YorkSummer breederApril–July
Newfoundland and LabradorSummer breederMay–July
North CarolinaSummer breederApril–July
North DakotaSummer breederMay–July
Northwest TerritoriesSummer breederMay–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederMay–July
OhioSummer breederApril–July
OklahomaSummer breederApril–July
OntarioSummer breederMay–July
OregonYear-round residentApril–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederApril–July
Prince Edward IslandSummer breederMay–July
QuebecSummer breederMay–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederApril–July
SaskatchewanSummer breederMay–July
South CarolinaSummer breederMarch–July
South DakotaSummer breederApril–July
TennesseeSummer breederApril–July
TexasYear-round residentMarch–July
UtahSummer breederApril–July
VermontSummer breederMay–July
VirginiaSummer breederApril–July
WashingtonYear-round residentApril–July
West VirginiaSummer breederApril–July
WisconsinSummer breederMay–July
WyomingSummer breederMay–July
YukonSummer breederMay–July

Frequently asked

What do American eat?

Aquatic plants, algae and some invertebrates. At feeders: cracked corn (sparingly, at pond edges).

How big is a American Coot?

15.5–16.9 in long and 21.2–24.7 oz.

Do American use birdhouses?

No. Floating platform of dead reeds anchored in vegetation.

Sources

  1. American Coot — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. American Coot life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. American Coot — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.