 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2010) |
| Coot Temporal range: Early Pliocene to present
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|---|---|
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| Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Gruiformes |
| Family: | Rallidae |
| Genus: | Fulica Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Type species | |
| Fulica atra (Eurasian coot) Linnaeus, 1758
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| Species | |
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.