Moorhen vs. Coot

Any of various medium-sized water birds of the genus Gallinula, of the rail family, that feed in open water margins.

(British) A female red grouse, Lagopus lagopus scotica.

A black gallinule (Gallinula chloropus) that inhabits ponds and lakes.

The female of the moor fowl; the moor hen.

black gallinule that inhabits ponds and lakes

female red grouse

Moorhens—sometimes called marsh hens—are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family (Rallidae). Most species are placed in the genus Gallinula, Latin for .

Example: ‘little hen’;

Any of various aquatic birds of the genus Fulica that are mainly black with a prominent frontal shield on the forehead.

(colloquial) A foolish or eccentric fellow

Example: ‘A silly coot.’; ‘An old coot’; ‘A rich coot’;

A success; something excellent.

Example: ‘Man that song's the coot.’; ‘Would be the coot if we could go this weekend!’;

(slang) Body louse (Pediculus humanus).

A wading bird with lobate toes, of the genus Fulica. The common European or bald coot is Fulica atra (see under bald); the American is Fulica Americana

A stupid fellow; a simpleton; as, a silly coot.

slaty-black slow-flying birds somewhat resembling ducks

an aquatic bird of the rail family, with blackish plumage, lobed feet, and a bill that extends back on to the forehead as a horny shield.

a stupid or eccentric person, typically an old man.

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 Coots have predominantly black plumage, and—unlike many rails—they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water.

Example: ‘coot.’;