Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family, Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica, the name being the Latin term for "coot". Coots have predominantly black plumage, an
Rails are a large, cosmopolitan family of small- to medium-sized terrestrial or semi-amphibious birds. The family exhibits considerable diversity in its forms, and includes such ubiquitous species as
Coot
…Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family, Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica, the name being the Latin term for "coot". Coots have predominantly black plumage, and—unlike many rails—they are…
Dusky moorhen 442
New Zealand South Island takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) from behind, showing the short, soft, and fluffy remiges typical of flightless rails
American coot (Fulica americana) skeleton on display at the Museum of Osteology.
The Guam rail is an example of an island species that has been badly affected by introduced species.