Photo: DickDaniels (http://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Hawaiian Coot
Fulica alai
Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) — Cranes & Rails of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 459 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Fulica
- Species alai
Quick facts
- Weight
- 459 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hawaiian Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Hawaiian Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) belongs to the Rallidae family of the order Gruiformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Hawaiian Is.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 459 g, with a wing length of about 17.5 cm and a tail of around 4.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1,148 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Hawaiian Coot?
The Hawaiian Coot is a large bird that weighs around 459 g.
Where does the Hawaiian Coot live?
The Hawaiian Coot is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Hawaiian Is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Hawaiian Coot belong to?
The Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Hawaiian Coot eat?
The Hawaiian Coot feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Hawaiian Coot migrate?
The Hawaiian Coot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Hawaiian Coot endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Hawaiian Coot make?
1 real field recording of the Hawaiian Coot — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Hawaiian Coot's range?
The Hawaiian Coot has a mapped global range of about 1,148 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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