These strange sociable little critters may take over the marshes some day. It seemed like every body of open water had a covering of Coots. I’d never thought that many would be in the same place.

Personally I really enjoy them. When they form a ‘raft’ and play follow the leader it’s like a few hundred (thousand) in a Conga Line.

While they are very similar to the Gallinule, running away screaming loudly is not their way. They just talk. To each other, to other birds they pass, or just to themselves. When you get a marsh full it’s a constant noise.

In some parts of the south Coots are known as Mud Hens.