IA American Coot Hunting Guide

Also known as: Mud hen, Marsh hen

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 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.

Habitat & Range

American coots are found near water reed-ringed lakes and ponds, open marshes, and sluggish rivers. They prefer freshwater environments but may temporarily live in saltwater environments during the winter months.[5] The American coot's breeding habitat extends frommarshesin southernQuebecto the Pacific coast of North America and as far south as northern South America. Birds from temperate North America east of the Rocky Mountainsmigrateto the southern United States and southernBritish Columbia. It is often a year-round resident where water remains open in winter. The number of birds that stay year-round near the northern limit of the species' range seems to be increasing.[20][21] Autumn migration occurs from August to December, with males and non-breeders moving south before the females and juveniles. Spring migration to breeding ranges occurs from late February to mid-May, with males and older birds moving North first. There has been evidence of birds travelling as far north as Greenland and Iceland.[5]

Life History

Fulica hesternaHoward, 1963 and see text TheAmerican coot(Fulica americana), also known as amud henorpouldeau, is a bird of thefamilyRallidae. 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 to facilitate walking on dry land.[2]Coots live near water, typically inhabitingwetlandsand open water bodies inNorth America. Groups of coots are calledcovers[3]orrafts.[2]The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old.[2] The American coot is a migratory bird that occupies most of North America. It lives in the Pacific and southwestern United States and Mexico year-round and occupies more northeastern regions during the summer breeding season. In the winter they can be found as far south as Panama.[2]Coots generally build floating nests and lay 8–12 eggs per clutch.[2]Females and males have similar appearances, but they can be distinguished during aggressive displays by the larger ruff (head plumage) on the male.[4]American coots eat primarily algae and other aquatic plants but also animals (both vertebrates and invertebrates) when available.[5] The American coot is closely related to theEurasian coot(Fulica atra), which occupies the sameecological nicheinEurasiaandAustraliaas the American coot does in North America.[citation needed]Eurasian coots can be distinguished from this species by the absence of a redcallusabove the bird'sfrontal shield.[citation needed] The American coot is listed as "Least Concern" under the IUCN conservation ratings.[1]Hunters generally avoid killing American coots because their meat is not as sought after as that of ducks.[2] American coots display several interesting breeding habits; mothers will preferentially feed offspring with the brightest plume feathers, which has resulted in coot chicks having brightly ornamented plumage which becomes drabber as they age.[6][7]American coots are also susceptible to conspecificbrood parasitismand have evolved mechanisms to differentiate their offspring from those of parasitic females.[8] The American coot measures 34–43 cm (13–17 in) in length with awingspanof 58 to 71 cm (23 to 28 in). Adults have a short, thick, white bill and whitefrontal shield, which usually has a reddish-brown spot near the top of the bill between the eyes. Males and females look alike, but females are smaller. Body mass in females ranges from 427 to 628 g (0.941 to 1.385 lb) and in males from 576 to 848 g (1.270 to 1.870 lb).[17][18][19]Juvenile birds have olive-brown crowns and a gray body. They become adult-colored around 4 months of age.[5] The American coot is a highlygregariousspecies, particularly in the winter, when its flocks can number in the thousands.[25]When swimming on the water surface, American coots exhibit a variety of interesting collective formations, including single-file lines, high density synchronized swimming and rotational dynamics, broad arcing formations, and sequential take-off dynamics.[26]

Hunting Season

Included in regular duck/rail seasons. Typically Sep-Nov. Check Iowa migratory game bird regulations.

References

• Iowa — American Coot