The American Coot is a common waterbird found in marshes, ponds, and lakes across 
North America. Unlike ducks, coots have lobed toes instead of webbed feet, making them strong swimmers and capable walkers on land.
They nest in dense emergent vegetation, like cattails and bulrushes, building floating platforms where they lay 8-12 eggs. During migration, coots travel in large flocks, moving south in the fall to overwinter in ice-free waters across the southern U.S. and Central America.
They primarily feed on aquatic vegetation but will also eat small invertebrates. While awkward in flight, they take off with a long, running start across the water.
