The American Coot is often mistaken for a duck, but is actually a more familiar member of the often secretive rail family. It has a slate gray body that is darker along its head and neck, red eyes, a short white bill, and a reddish brown frontal shield above the bill. Common throughout most of North America, it feeds by tipping up its back end and dipping its head under water to feed. It is also an adept diver, reaching depths of up to 25 feet in search of aquatic plants and small aquatic animals. It walks and swims with a distinctive chicken-like head-pumping motion. Quite aggressive, the American Coot is often seen chasing other waterbirds from its vicinity.
Have you ever heard the expression, "Crazy as a coot?" It is based on the mating behavior of potential mates chasing each other madly over the water. How about "Thin as a rail?" Although technically not a rail, the American Coot belongs to the same family. This expression is actually based on the rails' ability to move easily between narrow spaces in reeds and other marsh vegetation. Their bodies are laterally compressed, and covered in feathers that can be held tightly against the body, allowing such movement.