American Coot (Fulica americana)

The American Coot is a duck-sized aquatic bird (Family: Rallidae, Order: Gruiformes). The coot has a black body, a white beak, red eyes and a dark-red patch at the base of the beak. The coots are often found near human residence where they can have a good access to water. In Lakeport, the coots can be found in large numbers in the park near the lake. They come right at your feet asking for foods.

The "lobate" gray feet of the coot is peculiar. The feet of grebes and coots are webs are constricted at nodes and are called as lobate feet. The legs of the coot are lemon yellow with a strong greenish tinge to it.

Lakeport, CA
2008-02-04, 2008-02-07

The photo shows the coot swimming paddling with its webbed feet alternately. The coots are a member of rail family (Rallidae). The rails are aquatic birds that are more capable in swimming than flying as is the American Coot.