The name coot originates from early medieval English cote or coote which originally described a bald person. So it is named because the waterbird features a prominent white facial shield that makes it look bald. There are 10 living species of coots in the genus Fulica.
Eurasian coot (Fulica atra): Found across Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
American coot (Fulica americana): Found from North America down to northern South America.
Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai): Native to the Hawaiian Islands.
Andean coot (Fulica ardesiaca): Found in the high Andes of western South America.
Red-gartered coot (Fulica armillata): Found in southern South America.
Horned coot (Fulica cornuta): Found in the high-altitude wetlands of the southern Andes.
Red-knobbed coot (Fulica cristata): Found in parts of Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.
Giant coot (Fulica gigantea): The largest coot species, found in the high Andes.
White-winged coot (Fulica leucoptera): Found across central and southern South America.
Red-fronted coot (Fulica rufifrons): Found in southern South America.
Eurasian coot (Fulica atra): Found across Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
American coot (Fulica americana): Found from North America down to northern South America.
Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai): Native to the Hawaiian Islands.
Andean coot (Fulica ardesiaca): Found in the high Andes of western South America.
Red-gartered coot (Fulica armillata): Found in southern South America.
Horned coot (Fulica cornuta): Found in the high-altitude wetlands of the southern Andes.
Red-knobbed coot (Fulica cristata): Found in parts of Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.
Giant coot (Fulica gigantea): The largest coot species, found in the high Andes.
White-winged coot (Fulica leucoptera): Found across central and southern South America.
Red-fronted coot (Fulica rufifrons): Found in southern South America.
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