American Coot Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAmerican Coot
Adult
Plump waterbird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Adults are dark gray overall with a white bill tipped in a ring of black.
© Daniel Irons / Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 07, 2020Adult
On land appears rather chickenlike. Note the long lobed toes that help propel it in the water.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryTexas, November 05, 2015Adults
Bulky-bodied, ducklike bird with small, pointed bill. Typically feeds from the surface of the water but sometimes dives.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 14, 2010Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles are pale grayish below with a pale bill.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 09, 2017Adult
With good views note the red eye and the white shield that is topped with red.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, March 22, 2020Adult and chick
Right after hatching chicks have bare red spots on their heads, rusty-colored down around their head, and a red bill.
© Megan Buers / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, June 05, 2020Adult
To get airborne, coots typically need to beat their wings while running across the water for many yards.
© August Davidson-Onsgard / Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 05, 2019Adult
Sometimes gathers in large flocks—which can number in the thousands—during the winter.
© miriam avello / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 10, 2016Habitat
Found in ponds, marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, roadside ditches, sewage treatment ponds, and saltwater inlets or salt marshes.
© nicole-marie pettinelli / Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, November 08, 2018Similar SpeciesCommon Gallinule
Adult with American Coot
Common Gallinules have a bright red shield on the forehead, whereas the shield is white on American Coots. They also have a horizontal white flank-stripe that coots lack.
© Max Wilson / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, April 26, 2015Similar SpeciesCommon Gallinule
Immature
Immature Common Gallinules have a white stripe on the flanks, whereas adult and immature American Coots have black backs and sides.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 06, 2017Similar SpeciesPurple Gallinule
Adult
Purple Gallinules are more brightly colored than American Coots, with long yellow legs and a red bill.
© Geoff Hill / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, July 10, 2010Similar SpeciesPurple Gallinule
Immature
Immature Purple Gallinules have a peachy wash on the neck and face, whereas immature American Coots have a grayish wash on the face and neck.
© José Frade / Macaulay LibraryLisboa, November 08, 2013Similar SpeciesPied-billed Grebe
Breeding adult
Pied-billed Grebes have smaller bodies that are more brown overall than American Coots. The bill is shorter and thicker than American Coots.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 25, 2013Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots(Order: Gruiformes, Family: Rallidae)
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