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Information About

Caribbean Coot




  Name Caribbean Coot
  Regnum Animal ia
  Phylum Chordata
  Classis Aves
  Ordo Gruiformes
  Familia Rallidae
  Genus '' Fulica ''
  Species '''''F caribaea'''''
  Binomial ''Fulica caribaea''
  Binomial Authority Ridgway , 1884


The Caribbean Coot ('''''Fulica caribaea''''') is a large waterbird of the family Rallidae , which is a resident breeder in the Caribbean and parts of Venezuela . It has sometimes been treated as a subspecies of American Coot , ''Fulica americana''.

The adults is 33-38cm long and has a short thick white bill with a reddish-brown spot near the tip and a white forehead shield. The body is grey with the head and neck darker than the rest of the body. The legs are yellow, with scalloped toes rather than webbed feet. It differs from American Coot in that the latter species has red knobs at the top of its frontal shield.

The breeding habitat is freshwater lakes and Marsh es. They build a nest in shallow water or floating, and lay 4-8 speckled whitish or pale brown eggs. They are frequently seen swimming in open water.

Caribbean Coots can dive for food but can also forage on land. They are Omnivore s, eating plant material, insects, fish, and other aquatic animals.

Their call is a high-pitched squeaking honk somewhat like a goose, similar to American Coot.


REFERENCES

  • ''Birds of Venezuela'' by Hilty, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5

  • ''Rails'' by Taylor and van Perlo, ISBN 90-74345-20-4