Birds of Texas

American Coot (Fulica americana) 13-16"

(Click on picture to enlarge)

© 2005 Walter Bauer, San Antonio, Texas

Field Marks:

The only slate-gray duck like bird with a whitish bill. Head and neck blacker than body; divided white patch under the tail. When swimming, pumps it's neck and small head back and forth. Dabbles but can dive expertly. When taking off, it skitters its big lobed feet.

Voice: A grating kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk; various cackles, croaks.

Where found: Canada south to the Ecuador. It migrates from northern sections.

Texas: Resident throughout, summering very locally. This particular American Coot was seen in Landa Park, New Braunfels, Texas in October 2005.

Habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, bays.