Coot

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Coot Temporal range: Early Pliocene to present
Eurasian coot (Fulica atra)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Gruiformes
Family:	Rallidae
Genus:	Fulica Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Fulica atra (Eurasian coot) Linnaeus, 1758
Species
Fulica alai Fulica americana Fulica ardesiaca Fulica armillata Fulica atra Fulica cornuta Fulica cristata Fulica gigantea Fulica leucoptera Fulica rufifrons For extinct and prehistoric species, see article text

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 usually easy to see, often swimming in open water.