Diet
What do American eat?
Aquatic plants, algae and some invertebrates.
Rails and coots (Rallidae)American CootFulica americana
Spring and summer diet
- Pondweed, algae, snails and insects
Fall and winter diet
- Aquatic plants and lawn grass near ponds
Best feeder foods
- Cracked corn (sparingly, at pond edges)
Dives and dabbles on ponds and grazes adjacent lawns; gathers in big winter rafts.
Where American need winter food
Regions where American are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do American eat?
Aquatic plants, algae and some invertebrates.
What is the best food to feed American?
Cracked corn (sparingly, at pond edges).
What do American eat in winter?
Aquatic plants and lawn grass near ponds.
Sources
- American Coot — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Coot life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- 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.