American Coot

American Coot swimming near some reeds.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Greer Island, Fort Worth, TX, February 27, 2022
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-1000; f/6.3; 1/1600 sec.

This page is for the American Coot (Fulica americana) which is similar to a duck. I have seen this bird numerous time as a teen, but my first photographic evidence occurred on November 13, 2021. However, the best photograph I have taken of the American Coot to date (above) was from December 11, 2021 at the Fort Worth Nature Preserve. The bird was about 20 feet distant.

The following photographs are the best representative images from each date and location.

American Coot; Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX; Crosstimbers Trail foot bridge; December 11, 2021.
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-3200; f/6.3; 1/2500 sec.
American Coot taking off from water, American White Pelicans in the background.
American Coot; Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX; Marsh Boardwalk; December 11, 2021.
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-2000, f/14, 1/800 sec.

The following photographs are acceptable

American Coot running on the top of the water as it is taking off in flight.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve River Road, Fort Worth, TX, February 6 2022
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-2500, f/6.3, 1/3200 sec.
Two American Coots taking off.
American Coot. Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX; Crosstimbers Trail foot bridge; January 2, 2022.
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-1000, f/7.1, 1/2000 sec.
Approximately 60 American Coots swimming in a tight group near a downed tree branch near the far short of the river.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Cross Timbers Trail footbridge, Fort Worth, TX, February 12, 2022
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-6400, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec.
Over 40 American Coot swimming in a large group near the far shore of the marsh.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Marsh Boardwalk, Fort Worth, TX, February 20, 2022
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 150 mm; ISO-320; f/5; 1/2000 sec.

The following will be moved to archive:

Lone American Coot swimming near reeds.
American Coot; Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX; Lone Point; December 30, 2021
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-4000, f/7.1, 1/2000 sec.
Fourteen American Coots swimming near the shore.
American Coot; North Holiday Park, Benbrook, TX; December 26, 2021
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-640, f/7.1, 1/2000 sec.
Multiple American Coots swimming along far shore with one taking off. Lots of other ducks are nearby.
American Coot; Cement Creek Reservoir, Fort Worth, TX; December 31, 2021
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-2000, f/7.1, 1/400sec.
American Coot swimming on slightly rough waters.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX; Dead End Trail; January 15, 2022.
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-400, f/7.1, 1/3200 sec.
Lone American Coot swimming with Gadwalls. Several Mallards are in the background.
American Coot; Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX; Crosstimbers Trail foot bridge; December 24, 2021
Canon EOS 5Ds R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-1000, f/7.1, 1/2000 sec.
Two American Coots swimming near some dead standing branches.
American Coot, Black Mesa State Park, Kenton, Ok, October 20, 2022
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/10; 1/1250 sec.
American Coot swimming nearby in the open water.
American Coot, Bitter Lake NWR, Roswell, NM, November 9, 2022
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-500; f/11; 1/800 sec. -0.7 exposure bias.
Two American Coots swimming near some reeds.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX, March 4, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-800; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Over a dozen American Coots foraging on land near the water's edge.
American Coot, North Holiday Park, Benbrook, TX, March 26, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 2.0x Teleconverter; 1000 mm; ISO-1250; f/16; 1/1000 sec.
Three American Coots swimming near the far side of the creek.
American Coot, Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX, April 1, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 2.0x Teleconverter; 1000 mm; ISO-1250; f/14; 1/640 sec.
American Coot swimming on the lake.
American Coot, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Chicago, IL April 12, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two American Coots swimming in the lake.
American Coot, Victor Braunig Lake, San Antonio, TX May 11, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-200; f/10; 1/500 sec.
American Coot on the far shore looking around in the sparse grass.
American Coot, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, San Antonio, TX May 12, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-250; f/10; 1/640 sec. -0.7 exposure bias.
American Coot walking on an island underneath a tree.
American Coot, San Joaquin Marsh Irvine CA June 19 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-6400; f/10; 1/800 sec.
American Coot standing in the water next to some dead reeds.
American Coot, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Port Aransas, TX, February 22, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-1000; f/10; 1/1000 sec. +1 Exposure Bias
An American Coot swimming nearby.
American Coot, Lake Viridian, Arlington, TX, February 2, 2025
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/10; 1/800 sec.