Adult: The coot grazes upon veggie stuff such as water hyacinths. It wades. It dives. It swims. It dabbles. It also feasts on algae and aquatic vegetation and insects. The coot is not a duck, however. It is a gallinule. Like its gallinule tribe, the American Coot has a short chicken-type bill. Its whitish bill with black band makes it unique in Florida. It also sports a white frontal shield (reddish at top). Otherwise the American Coot is black - or gray-black - except for a white rump. Its green legs end in lobed toes that make swimming easy. Common during winter months in very large rafts numbering in the hundreds.

Immature: Similar to adult.

Habitat: Lakes, streams and freshwater marshes. If you’re down in the dumps, go find a coot trying awkwardly to become airborne. There can be such a frenzied ungainly tripping across the lily pads and splashing of water that you go home with a big grin on your face.

Florida resident. Breeds in Florida March - August.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon.

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