The American coot is 15.5-16.9 inches (39.4-42.9 cm) in length with a wingspan of 23-25 inches (58.4-63.5 cm)
It is dark gray to black in color with a bright white bill. It has bright red eyes and a red bump on the top of its bill. It has large feet with lobed toes.
Even though the American coot swims like a duck, once it is on land, it looks more like a chicken. Its short wings make it difficult for it to take off, but once it is in the air, the coot is a good flier.
The American coot lives in shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, or marshes. Sometimes, it is seen in brackish (a mixture of fresh and seawater) water. It is commonly seen in city parks, reservoirs, and sewage treatment ponds.
Breeding begins in May and June. The male and female build a nest together at the edge of a pond, usually in an area with large reeds that will hide the nest. The female lays 8-10 pink eggs with brown spots. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch in about 23 days.
After a month, chicks can dive for their own food. After 5-6 weeks, the chicks can fly. The young leave their parents after two months.
American coots typically live up to nine years, but the oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old.
The American coot builds its nest with a ramp leading into the water, so it’s easier for its young to get in and out.
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The American coot does not breed in New Hampshire, but it may be spotted during its migration.
The American coot is migratory and has a large range, and is found throughout North America and Central America.
In the summer, the American coot is found in Canada and the northern United States, as far east as New York.
In the winter, it lives from Washington state to Central America, west across the United States, and south into Florida and the Caribbean.
