The American coot, also known as a mud hen or pouldeau, is a bird of the family Rallidae. Though commonly mistaken for ducks, American coots are only distantly related to ducks, belonging to a separate order. Unlike the webbed feet of ducks, coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step in order to facilitate walking on dry land. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America. Groups of coots are called covers or rafts. The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old. Source: Wikipedia
Citation:
Gmelin, JF 1789
Reference:
Systema Naturae ed. 13, vol. 1, part 2
1 pt2 p.704
Protonym:
Fulica americana
Type locality:
North America.
Link:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/10286#page/205/mode/1up
Avibase ID:
E076FCE6AF4BBCD6
Avibase ID:
avibase-E076FCE6
Short link:
https://avibase.ca/E076FCE6
Taxonomic Serial Number:
TSN: 176292
Geographic range:
Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept:
Avibase taxonomic concepts (current): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot [excl. caribaea] ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca, excl. caribaea]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2023 (May 2023): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot [excl. caribaea] ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca, excl. caribaea]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2024 (Oct 2024): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot [excl. caribaea] ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca, excl. caribaea]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 01 (August 2013): American, Slate-colored or Hawaiian Coot ( Fulica [americana or ardesiaca]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 02 (May 2014): American, Slate-colored or Hawaiian Coot ( Fulica [americana or ardesiaca]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 03 (March 2015): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 04 (Aug 2016): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 05 (Jan 2017): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 06 (Feb 2018): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot [excl. caribaea] ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca, excl. caribaea]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 07 (Feb 2020): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot [excl. caribaea] ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca, excl. caribaea]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 08 (Feb 2021): American, Hawaiian, or Slate-colored Coot [excl. caribaea] ( Fulica [americana, alai or ardesiaca, excl. caribaea]) |
Clements 3rd edition: American Coot ( Fulica americana) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 2nd edition: American Coot ( Fulica americana) [version 2] |
Morony, Bock and Farrand: American Coot ( Fulica americana) [version 2] |
Taxonomic status:
Species status: species (alt)
This taxon is a subspecies of
Fulica [americana, alai, ardesiaca]
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Other synonyms
See also the taxonomic synonyms table.
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