Difference between revisions of "Coot" - New World Encyclopedia

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''For prehistoric species, see article text''
 
''For prehistoric species, see article text''
 
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'''Coot''' is the common name for any of the medium-sized, [[duck]]-like aquatic [[bird]]s comprising the genus '''''Fulica''''' of the [[rail (bird)|rail]] [[family (biology)|family]] [[Rallidae]], characterized by typically dark plumage, toes that are lobed with a membrane, a dark head with a short, wide beak that in many species extends from the base to the forehead as a prominent, flattened, fleshy frontal shield or other decoration on the forehead.  Coots have predominantly black [[Feather|plumage]], and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water. They are close relatives of the [[moorhen]]. They are eleven extant species. Largely inhabiting freshwater lakes, ponds, and large streams in South America, North America, and Europe, they also are found in Africa and Asia.  
+
'''Coot''' is the common name for any of the medium-sized, [[duck]]-like aquatic [[bird]]s comprising the genus '''''Fulica''''' of the [[rail (bird)|rail]] [[family (biology)|family]] [[Rallidae]], characterized by typically dark plumage, toes that are lobed with a membrane, a dark head with a short, wide beak that in many species extends from the base to the forehead as a prominent, flattened, fleshy frontal shield or other decoration on the forehead.  Coots have predominantly black [[Feather|plumage]], and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water. They are close relatives of the [[moorhen]]. They are eleven extant species. Largely inhabiting freshwater lakes, ponds, and large streams in South America, North America, and Europe, they also are found in Africa, Asia, and Australia.  
  
  
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Coots belong to the family Rallidae, whose members are known collectively as rails, but also includes birds known as crakes and gallinules. The rails are a fairly homogeneous family of small to medium sized ground living birds, although some such as the coots are more adapted to water environments. Rails vary in length from 12 centimeters to 63 centimeters (4.7-25 inches) and in weight from 20 grams to 3000 grams (0.04-6.6 pounds). Some species have long necks and in many cases they are laterally compressed. The bill is the most variable feature within the family: in some species it is longer than the head (like the [[clapper rail]] of the Americas), in others it may be short and wide (as in the [[coot]]s), or massive (as in the [[Porphyrio|purple gallinules]]) (Horsfall and Robinson 2003). Rails exhibit very little sexual dimorphism in either plumage or size.
 
Coots belong to the family Rallidae, whose members are known collectively as rails, but also includes birds known as crakes and gallinules. The rails are a fairly homogeneous family of small to medium sized ground living birds, although some such as the coots are more adapted to water environments. Rails vary in length from 12 centimeters to 63 centimeters (4.7-25 inches) and in weight from 20 grams to 3000 grams (0.04-6.6 pounds). Some species have long necks and in many cases they are laterally compressed. The bill is the most variable feature within the family: in some species it is longer than the head (like the [[clapper rail]] of the Americas), in others it may be short and wide (as in the [[coot]]s), or massive (as in the [[Porphyrio|purple gallinules]]) (Horsfall and Robinson 2003). Rails exhibit very little sexual dimorphism in either plumage or size.
  
Coots comprise the genus ''Fulica'' in Raillidae. As with some of the gallinules, coots tend to have a "frontal shield," which is a fleshy rearward extension of the upper bill, which is flattened and extends to the forehead. The most complex frontal shield is found in the [[horned coot]] (Horsfall and Robinson 2003). Rails also have a short, wide, conical bill, which may be white or colored depending on the species; a black head and neck; and toes that have a lobed membrane that aids them in swimming and moving through marshy areas. They have feet that are a greenish or bluish gray in coloration. Coots tend to have short, rounded wings. Many, but not all, have white on the under tail.  
+
Coots comprise the genus ''Fulica'' in Raillidae. As with some of the gallinules, coots tend to have a "frontal shield," which is a fleshy rearward extension of the upper bill, which is flattened and extends to the forehead. The most complex frontal shield is found in the [[horned coot]] (Horsfall and Robinson 2003). Rails also have a short, wide, conical bill, which may be white or colored depending on the species; a black head and neck; and toes that have a lobed membrane that aids them in swimming and moving through marshy areas. They have feet that range from a yellowish, to a greenish, to a bluish gray in coloration. Coots tend to have short, rounded wings. Many, but not all, have white on the under tail.  
  
The widespread Eurasian coot, or common coot ''(Fulica atra)'', is 36 to 42 centimeters (14-16.5 inches)long, and is largely black except for the white facial shield (which gave rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot"). The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult black plumage develops when about 3 to 4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old, some time later.  
+
The widespread Eurasian coot, or common coot ''(Fulica atra)'', is 36 to 42 centimeters (14-16.5 inches) long, and is largely black except for the white facial shield (which gave rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot"). The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult black plumage develops when about 3 to 4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old, some time later.  
  
The '''American Coot''' ('''''Fulica americana''''') is a bird of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Rallidae]], inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies. About 16 inches (40 cm) in length and weighing 1.4 lb (0.65 kg), adults have a short thick white bill and white frontal shield, which usually has a reddish-brown spot near the top of the bill between the eyes. From up close, a dark band can be distinguished at the billtip. The body is grey with the head and neck darker than the rest of the body. Their legs are yellowish, with scalloped toes rather than webbed feet. Their chicks have black bodies with bright red head and beak, and orange plumes around the neck.  
+
The American coot (''Fulica americana'') is similar in size, about 40 centimeters (16 inches) in length and weighing about 0.65 kilograms (1.4 pounds). Adults have a short thick white bill and white frontal shield, which usually has a reddish-brown spot near the top of the bill between the eyes. From up close, a dark band can be distinguished at the billtip. The body is gray with the head and neck darker than the rest of the body. Their legs are yellowish. American coot chicks have black bodies with bright red head and beak, and orange plumes around the neck.  
  
There are eleven extant [[species]] recognized in this genus. The greatest species variety is in South America, where there are seven species, and it is likely that the genus originated there. They are common in Europe and North America. The Eurasian coot, or common coot, occurs and breeds in [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Australia]], and [[Africa]], and has recently expanded its range into [[New Zealand]].
+
There are eleven extant [[species]] recognized in this genus. The greatest species variety is in South America, where there are seven species, and it is likely that the genus originated there. They are common in Europe and North America. The Eurasian coot occurs and breeds in [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Australia]], and [[Africa]], and has recently expanded its range into [[New Zealand]]. The America coot is found in wetlands and open water bodies from southern [[Quebec]] to the [[Pacific]] coast of [[North America]] and as far south as northern [[South America]]. Birds from temperate North America east of the Rocky Mountains [[bird migration|migrate]] to the southern [[United States]] and southern [[British Columbia]]. They are often year-round residents where water remains open in winter.
  
Their breeding habitat is [[marsh]]es from southern [[Quebec]] to the [[Pacific]] coast of [[North America]] and as far south as northern [[South America]]. Birds from temperate North America east of the Rocky Mountains [[bird migration|migrate]] to the southern [[United States]] and southern [[British Columbia]]. They are often year-round residents where water remains open in winter.
+
Cooks inhabit larger inland, freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams, where they are well adapted to swimming and diving for food.  
 
 
These birds require a great deal of effort to become airborne, pedaling across the water with their feet before lifting off. The way in which their heads bob when they walk or swim has earned them the name '''"marsh hen"'''or '''"mud hen"'''.
 
 
 
These birds are frequently seen swimming in open water. They can dive for food but can also forage on land. American Coots are [[omnivore|omnivorous]], eating plant material, [[arthropod]]s, fish, and other aquatic animals.
 
They nest in a well-concealed location in tall reeds.
 
 
 
American Coots are highly territorial during the breeding season, with both males and females fighting with neighbors to maintain a small territory where they obtain all their food. The females are known to lay eggs in neighbors' nests (conspecific [[brood parasite|brood parasitism]]); contrary to what one might expect, this behavior is more common among females that already have a nest than among those that were not able to secure a suitable territory for breeding in that season<ref>Lyon (1993)</ref>.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
They inhabit larger inland, freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams, where they are well adapted to swimming and diving for food.  
 
  
 
A flock of coots is known in the United States as a "cover" (Ross).
 
A flock of coots is known in the United States as a "cover" (Ross).
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These birds are [[omnivorous]], taking mainly plant material (aquatic plants, seeds), but also small animals (mollusks, worms, insects) and [[Egg (biology)|eggs]]. The Coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds, as well as [[algae]], vegetation, seeds and fruit.<ref>Martin R. Perrow,  J. Hans Schutten, John R. Howes, Tim Holzer, F. Jane Madgwick and Adrian J. D. Jowitt (1997) "Interactions between coot (''Fulica atra'') and submerged macrophytes: the role of birds in the restoration process". ''Hydrobiologia'' '''342/343''': 241–255 {{doi|10.1023/A:1017007911190}}</ref> It shows considerable variation in its feeding techniques, grazing on land or in the water. In the water it may upend in the fashion of a [[Mallard]] or dive in search of food.<ref>Brigitte J. Bakker and Robin A. Fordham (1993) "[http://www.notornis.org.nz/free_issues/Notornis_40-1993/Notornis_40_2_131.pdf Diving behaviour of the Australian Coot in a New Zealand lake]". ''Notornis'' '''40''' (2): 131–136</ref>
 
These birds are [[omnivorous]], taking mainly plant material (aquatic plants, seeds), but also small animals (mollusks, worms, insects) and [[Egg (biology)|eggs]]. The Coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds, as well as [[algae]], vegetation, seeds and fruit.<ref>Martin R. Perrow,  J. Hans Schutten, John R. Howes, Tim Holzer, F. Jane Madgwick and Adrian J. D. Jowitt (1997) "Interactions between coot (''Fulica atra'') and submerged macrophytes: the role of birds in the restoration process". ''Hydrobiologia'' '''342/343''': 241–255 {{doi|10.1023/A:1017007911190}}</ref> It shows considerable variation in its feeding techniques, grazing on land or in the water. In the water it may upend in the fashion of a [[Mallard]] or dive in search of food.<ref>Brigitte J. Bakker and Robin A. Fordham (1993) "[http://www.notornis.org.nz/free_issues/Notornis_40-1993/Notornis_40_2_131.pdf Diving behaviour of the Australian Coot in a New Zealand lake]". ''Notornis'' '''40''' (2): 131–136</ref>
  
 +
oots require a great deal of effort to become airborne, pedaling across the water with their feet before lifting off. The way in which their heads bob when they walk or swim has earned them the name '''"marsh hen"'''or '''"mud hen"'''.
 +
 +
These birds are frequently seen swimming in open water. They can dive for food but can also forage on land. American Coots are [[omnivore|omnivorous]], eating plant material, [[arthropod]]s, fish, and other aquatic animals.
 +
They nest in a well-concealed location in tall reeds.
 +
 +
American Coots are highly territorial during the breeding season, with both males and females fighting with neighbors to maintain a small territory where they obtain all their food. The females are known to lay eggs in neighbors' nests (conspecific [[brood parasite|brood parasitism]]); contrary to what one might expect, this behavior is more common among females that already have a nest than among those that were not able to secure a suitable territory for breeding in that season<ref>Lyon (1993)</ref>.
  
  

Revision as of 16:26, 22 January 2009

Coots
Eurasian coot or common coot
Eurasian coot or common coot
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Fulica
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
  • Fulica cristata
  • Fulica atra
  • Fulica alai
  • Fulica americana
  • Fulica caribaea
  • Fulica leucoptera
  • Fulica ardesiaca
  • Fulica armillata
  • Fulica rufifrons
  • Fulica gigantea
  • Fulica cornuta
  • Fulica newtoni (extinct)

For prehistoric species, see article text

Coot is the common name for any of the medium-sized, duck-like aquatic birds comprising the genus Fulica of the rail family Rallidae, characterized by typically dark plumage, toes that are lobed with a membrane, a dark head with a short, wide beak that in many species extends from the base to the forehead as a prominent, flattened, fleshy frontal shield or other decoration on the forehead. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water. They are close relatives of the moorhen. They are eleven extant species. Largely inhabiting freshwater lakes, ponds, and large streams in South America, North America, and Europe, they also are found in Africa, Asia, and Australia.


Overview and description

Coots belong to the family Rallidae, whose members are known collectively as rails, but also includes birds known as crakes and gallinules. The rails are a fairly homogeneous family of small to medium sized ground living birds, although some such as the coots are more adapted to water environments. Rails vary in length from 12 centimeters to 63 centimeters (4.7-25 inches) and in weight from 20 grams to 3000 grams (0.04-6.6 pounds). Some species have long necks and in many cases they are laterally compressed. The bill is the most variable feature within the family: in some species it is longer than the head (like the clapper rail of the Americas), in others it may be short and wide (as in the coots), or massive (as in the purple gallinules) (Horsfall and Robinson 2003). Rails exhibit very little sexual dimorphism in either plumage or size.

Coots comprise the genus Fulica in Raillidae. As with some of the gallinules, coots tend to have a "frontal shield," which is a fleshy rearward extension of the upper bill, which is flattened and extends to the forehead. The most complex frontal shield is found in the horned coot (Horsfall and Robinson 2003). Rails also have a short, wide, conical bill, which may be white or colored depending on the species; a black head and neck; and toes that have a lobed membrane that aids them in swimming and moving through marshy areas. They have feet that range from a yellowish, to a greenish, to a bluish gray in coloration. Coots tend to have short, rounded wings. Many, but not all, have white on the under tail.

The widespread Eurasian coot, or common coot (Fulica atra), is 36 to 42 centimeters (14-16.5 inches) long, and is largely black except for the white facial shield (which gave rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot"). The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult black plumage develops when about 3 to 4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old, some time later.

The American coot (Fulica americana) is similar in size, about 40 centimeters (16 inches) in length and weighing about 0.65 kilograms (1.4 pounds). Adults have a short thick white bill and white frontal shield, which usually has a reddish-brown spot near the top of the bill between the eyes. From up close, a dark band can be distinguished at the billtip. The body is gray with the head and neck darker than the rest of the body. Their legs are yellowish. American coot chicks have black bodies with bright red head and beak, and orange plumes around the neck.

There are eleven extant species recognized in this genus. The greatest species variety is in South America, where there are seven species, and it is likely that the genus originated there. They are common in Europe and North America. The Eurasian coot occurs and breeds in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa, and has recently expanded its range into New Zealand. The America coot is found in wetlands and open water bodies from southern Quebec to the Pacific coast of North America and as far south as northern South America. Birds from temperate North America east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the southern United States and southern British Columbia. They are often year-round residents where water remains open in winter.

Cooks inhabit larger inland, freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams, where they are well adapted to swimming and diving for food.

A flock of coots is known in the United States as a "cover" (Ross).


Behavior, diet, and reproduction

Coots are weak fliers, although northern species are nevertheless capable of covering long distances; the American coot has reached Great Britain and Ireland on rare occasions. Those species that migrate do so at night.

The Coot is much less secretive than most of the rail family, and can be seen swimming on open water or walking across waterside grasslands. It is an aggressive species, and strongly territorial during the breeding season, and both parents are involved in territorial defence.[1] During the non-breeding season they may form large flocks, possibly related to predator avoidance.[2]

It is reluctant to fly and when taking off runs across the water surface with much splashing. They do the same, but without actually flying, when travelling a short distance at speed in territorial disputes. As with many rails, its weak flight does not inspire confidence, but on migration, usually at night, it can cover surprisingly large distances. It bobs its head as it swims, and makes short dives from a little jump.

This species builds a nest of dead reeds and grasses near the water's edge or on underwater obstacles protruding from the water, laying up to 10 eggs, though usually only 3 survive because of the parents brutal behaviour. [3]


Coots can walk and run vigorously on strong legs, and have long toes that are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces.

These birds are omnivorous, taking mainly plant material (aquatic plants, seeds), but also small animals (mollusks, worms, insects) and eggs. The Coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds, as well as algae, vegetation, seeds and fruit.[4] It shows considerable variation in its feeding techniques, grazing on land or in the water. In the water it may upend in the fashion of a Mallard or dive in search of food.[5]

oots require a great deal of effort to become airborne, pedaling across the water with their feet before lifting off. The way in which their heads bob when they walk or swim has earned them the name "marsh hen"or "mud hen".

These birds are frequently seen swimming in open water. They can dive for food but can also forage on land. American Coots are omnivorous, eating plant material, arthropods, fish, and other aquatic animals. They nest in a well-concealed location in tall reeds.

American Coots are highly territorial during the breeding season, with both males and females fighting with neighbors to maintain a small territory where they obtain all their food. The females are known to lay eggs in neighbors' nests (conspecific brood parasitism); contrary to what one might expect, this behavior is more common among females that already have a nest than among those that were not able to secure a suitable territory for breeding in that season[6].


They are aggressively territorial during the breeding season, but are otherwise often found in sizable flocks on the shallow vegetated lakes they prefer.


Species in taxonomic order

  • Red-knobbed Coot, Fulica cristata
  • Eurasian Coot, or Common Coot, Fulica atra
  • Hawaiian Coot, Fulica alai
  • American Coot, Fulica americana
  • Caribbean Coot, Fulica caribaea
  • White-winged Coot, Fulica leucoptera
  • Andean Coot, Fulica ardesiaca
  • Red-gartered Coot, Fulica armillata
  • Red-fronted Coot, Fulica rufifrons
  • Giant Coot, Fulica gigantea
  • Horned Coot, Fulica cornuta
  • Mascarene Coot, Fulica newtoni (extinct, c.1700)
  • Chatham Island Coot, Fulica chathamensis (prehistoric)
  • New Zealand Coot, Fulica prisca (prehistoric)
  • Fulica infelix (fossil: Early Pliocene of Juntura, Malheur County, Oregon, USA)
  • Fulica shufeldti (fossil: Pleistocene of North America) - possibly a subspecies of Fulica americana; formerly F. minor

Photo gallery

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Bridgman, A. 2003. "Fulica americana" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 22, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Fulica_americana.html.

  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2006. Fulica Linnaeus, 1758 ITIS Taxonomic Serial No.: 176289. Retrieved January 23, 2009.

Horsfall, Joseph A. & Robinson, Robert (2003): Rails. In: Perrins, Christopher (ed.): Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Firefly Books.

Group Names for Birds: A Partial List By Terry Ross [7]

External links


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  1. Cave,A.J.; J.Visser; A.C. Perdeck. (1989). "Size and quality of the Coot (Fulica atra) territory in relation to age of its tenants and neighbours". Ardea 77: 87 - 97
  2. van den Hout PJ (2006) "Dense foraging flotillas of Eurasian coots Fulica atra explained by predation by Ganges soft-shell turtle Aspideretus gangeticus?". Ardea 94 (2): 271-274
  3. Attenborough, David, (1998) Life of Birds, Princeton University Press; ISBN 978-0691016337.
  4. Martin R. Perrow, J. Hans Schutten, John R. Howes, Tim Holzer, F. Jane Madgwick and Adrian J. D. Jowitt (1997) "Interactions between coot (Fulica atra) and submerged macrophytes: the role of birds in the restoration process". Hydrobiologia 342/343: 241–255 Digital object identifier (DOI): 10.1023/A:1017007911190
  5. Brigitte J. Bakker and Robin A. Fordham (1993) "Diving behaviour of the Australian Coot in a New Zealand lake". Notornis 40 (2): 131–136
  6. Lyon (1993)
  7. Baltimore Bird Club. Group Name for Birds: A Partial List. Retrieved 2007-06-03.