Population status

American Coot
(Fulica americana)

The best trend data for the American Coot are provided by the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS), the results of which reveal an overall increase in abundance, as well as large fluctuations among years, in the core of the species' range in the prairies. These fluctuations are also evident in the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) annual indices, although the long-term estimate suggests relatively little change in the population since 1970. The BBS is not as well-suited to surveying waterbirds, though it covers breeding areas missed by the WBPHS (Case and Sanders 2010). Considering both these data sources, the American Coot is best assessed as having shown a large increase in population, but the reliability of this assessment is considered medium. The American Coot is currently at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal. For more information on American Coot, detailed information is available in the Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report (summarized version). To obtain a copy of the full version of this report, including tables and graphs, please contact ec.scf-oismiggibiers-cws-miggamebirds.ec@canada.ca.

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/group	Goal	Lower level	Upper level
American Coot	Mean abundance (2008-2012)	Goal minus 25%	Not applicable

Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

Additional information on: Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

View definitions of table column headings being used by: Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic area	Time Period	Annual trend ^{Table 1 - footnote 1} ^{Table 1 - footnote 2}	Limits
Geographic area	Time Period		Lower	Upper
Total survey area	1955-2017	2.5	0.9	3.2
Canadian Prairies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canadian Prairies 1955-2017; Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in Western Canada and the Northwestern United-States	1955-2017	3.6	2.9	4.2

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

View definitions of table column headings being used by: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic area	Time Period ^{Table 2 - footnote 1}	Annual trend ^{Table 2 - footnote 2}	Limits
Geographic area	Time Period ^{Table 2 - footnote 1}	Annual trend ^{Table 2 - footnote 2}	Lower	Upper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis	1970-2016	-0.7	-2.6	1

References

Brisbin, Jr., I.L. and T.B. Mowbray. 2002. American Coot (Fulica americana), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Brisbin, Jr., I.L. and T.B. Mowbray. 2002. American Coot (Fulica americana), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. (Link)
Case, D.J. and S.J. Sanders (Eds). 2010. Priority Information Needs for American Coots, Purple Gallinules and Common Moorhens: A Funding Strategy. Developed for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies by the Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Support Task Force. 13 pp. Case, D.J. and S.J. Sanders (Eds). 2010. Priority Information Needs for American Coots, Purple Gallinules and Common Moorhens: A Funding Strategy. Developed for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies by the Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Support Task Force. 13 pp. (Link)