In this video, we take a look at the differences between coots and moorhens.
Taxonomy
Moorhens and coots both belong to the Rallidae family and are closely related. Moorhens fall under the genus Gallinula and there are five extant members, the most familiar being the common moorhen.
Coots belong to the genus Fulica and there are ten extant members, the most common being the Eurasian coot.
Description
Moorhens have a combination of brown, black, and gray in their plumage coloration. And most species have a white undertail. A characteristic feature is the red frontal shield and most species have a red bill with a yellow tip.
Coots also have frontal shields or other prominent forehead features - typically a knob. Most species are white-billed and can be easily distinguished from moorhens.
But species like the red-fronted coot appear remarkably similar. But unlike moorhens, coots have a charcoal-black plumage and lack the white undertail coverts. They are also dumpier than moorhens.
Vocalizations
Coots can be highly vocal with several species exhibiting a wide vocabulary. The Eurasian coot can be particularly noisy with a loud trumpeting call. Moorhens typically produce gargling noises among other sounds.
Habitat
Both coots and moorhens inhabit well-vegetated aquatic freshwater environments such as wetlands, marshes, lakes, and ponds.
Diet and feeding habits
Moorhens and coots have a similar diet. They are omnivorous, consuming plant food as well as small animals such as rodents, amphibians, fish, and eggs.
Nesting and breeding
Moorhens build basket-like nests on the ground in dense vegetation. Coots typically construct “floating nests” in shallow waters.
Behavior
Both moorhens and coots have short rounded wings and are weak fliers, although some are capable of long-distance flight as exhibited by migrating species.
Moorhens and coots spend much of their time in the water. But they have strong legs and can walk very well. They are especially well-adapted to walking on uneven ground. Species like the Eurasian coot have heavily-lobed feet.
A group of coots is called a “cover.”
Status and conservation
The Samoan moorhen and Makira woodhen (moorhen) are both critically endangered with the latter possibly extinct. The Tristan moorhen became extinct in the 19th century. The Gough moorhen is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.
The Hawaiin coot is also listed as vulnerable and the horned coot is near threatened. The Mascarene coot went extinct in the 18th century.
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