Birds · La Saladita, Guerrero

American Coot

Fulica americana

Spanish: Gallareta americana

American Coot (Fulica americana)
Photographed by santiagob1986 on iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC

The American coot (Fulica americana), also known as a mud hen, is a bird of the family Rallidae. Though commonly mistaken to be ducks, American coots belong to a distinct order. Unlike the webbed feet of ducks, coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step in order to facilitate walking on dry land. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America.... Most often recorded in Mar, Dec.

TaxonomyAves › Gruiformes › Rallidae
Local records5 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records152,970 on iNaturalist
Recorded here2015 – 2019
Months recorded near La Saladita
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Birds guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “American Coot (Fulica americana) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/fulica-americana/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.