American coots, also known as mud hens, are small waterbirds that are a member of the rail family. Coots are distinguished by their black plumage, white bill, and lobed feet. One of the most distinctive features of American coots are their brightly colored legs and feet. So what color are American coot’s feet? The answer is that American coots have bright red to reddish-orange colored feet and legs.
Description of American Coots
American coots are dark gray to black colored waterbirds with a plump body and a short, thick neck. Their head is rounded with a short bill that is white to pale gray. American coots measure 13-16 inches in length with a wingspan around 23-27 inches.
Coots have partially webbed feet with long flattened lobes on each of their toes which help spread their weight over floating vegetation as they walk across it. These lobes give the feet a unique look.
While coot bodies are generally dark in color, their legs and feet are quite colorful. Their legs extend up past the body plumage and are a vivid red to reddish-orange. The color results from carotenoid pigments obtained from their animal matter diet.
Habitat and Range
American coots are found inhabiting ponds, marshes, and wetlands over much of North America. They breed from coast to coast and can be found from Canada to Mexico.
Coots prefer calm, sheltered waters with ample vegetation. During the winter, they may be found in more open waters. They are migratory birds that will migrate south in winter months but may also stay in areas where water remains open.
Behaviors
American coots spend much of their time in or near water foraging for food. They will dive underwater to pull up aquatic plants and grasses with their beak. They also grab small fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Coots are sociable birds that live in flocks. During breeding seasons, males will territoriality defend areas for nesting and attracting mates. Nests are anchored in wetland vegetation.
The reddish feet and legs of coots play an important role in their mating displays. Males will splash water with their feet and aggressively flash the bright colors towards competing males during courtship. This helps attract females for breeding.
Differences Between Coot and Duck Feet
One waterbird that American coots are sometimes confused with is ducks. However, coot and duck feet are quite different in their appearance.
Ducks, like mallards, have feet that are designed for swimming. Their toes are connected by webbed skin that propels them efficiently through water. Duck feet are generally orange or yellowish in color with darker webbing between the toes.
Coot feet lack the webbing between the toes that allow them to swim. Instead, their feet have evolved for walking on vegetation. The separate lobed toes give them the ability to spread out their weight on floating plants. The reddish color also provides camouflage as they walk among the vegetation.
So while both species live on the water, the feet reveal differences in how they have adapted to their aquatic environments. Coots walk across vegetation, while ducks are designed for swimming.
Differences Between Coot and Chicken Feet
Another species people sometimes compare to American coots are chickens. This is because both species are considered poultry and their feathering has some resemblance. However, coot vs chicken feet shows distinct differences.
Chicken feet have four digits, three facing forward and one facing back. Their toes end in pointed claws used for grasping and scratching in the dirt. The skin of chicken feet is generally yellow.
The American coot only has three front facing toes that end in flattened lobes instead of pointed nails or claws. The lobes allow them to walk on floating vegetation. The bright reddish color also provides camouflage.
So while chickens and coots occupy the same biological class of Aves, their feet reveal the differences in how they have adapted. Chicken feet are for scratching and perching, while coots feet are for walking on water plants.
Purpose of Brightly Colored Coot Feet
So why did American coots evolve such uniquely colored red feet? The bright red feet and legs actually serve some important purposes.
Camouflage
The red color provides camouflage as they walk among the aquatic vegetation in their wetland habitats. Bright red matches with the colors of vegetation like smartweed and lilies found in their environment. This helps conceal coots from potential predators.
Territory Defense
The vivid red also plays a role in territory defense. During the breeding season, male coots will splash water with their feet and use them in threat displays towards other males. This demonstrates their dominance and right to their territory.
Attraction of Mates
Females are also believed to select males with the brightest feet and legs during mate selection. This suggests the red color is used in courtship and mate attraction. Males with the most intense color may signal their fitness.
Identification
The red color also helps identify that a bird is an American coot and not a related look-alike species. The distinct feet are one of the key features used to differentiate coots.
So in summary, the bright red feet and legs of American coots serve critical purposes of camouflage, territorial defense, mate attraction, and identification. This explains why they evolved such a unique color.
Conclusion
American coots are easily identifiable by their bright red to reddish-orange colored feet and legs. This color results from carotenoid pigments in their diet. Their lobed toes also distinguish them from similar waterbirds like ducks.
The red feet provide camouflage and have an important role in territory defense and mate attraction displays. This explains why American coots evolved such a distinctive color. So next time you see a waterbird with colorful feet, it’s likely an American coot!
