American coot (Fulica americana) at Shoreline park, Mountain View, California.

The American coot is one of the most common gruiform birds in North America. The common gallinule may be the most common Rallidae bird in the world, but the American coot far outnumbers it in some parts of North America.

American coot is all black in color, excluding the white frontal shield and beak. Also, if you look very closely on adults, you may also see a small patch of red on the forehead.

American coots are part of the diverse genus Fulica (coots). The coots are found worldwide, although they reach their greatest diversity in South America. The American coot is the only coot that makes it to North America.

It is roughly chicken-sized and quite similar to the Common gallinule (Gallinula galeata). I have added a list of comparisons between the American coot and common gallinule in the Common gallinule article.