mud hen

American  

Or mudhen

noun

1. any of various marsh-inhabiting birds, especially the American coot.

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mud hen British  

noun

1. any of various birds that frequent marshes or similar places, esp the coots, rails, etc

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Etymology

Origin of mud hen

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

As he stood by the water, two dark birds floated on the surface — American coots, or mud hens.

From Los Angeles Times

Looking back, it is hard to imagine him shooting anything — even a mud hen in 1918.”

From Los Angeles Times

The man in the stalled motorboat yanked frantically on the cord to his engine, and the two mud hens sought supper at the bottom of the lake, tails bobbing.

From Literature

Among so many peacocks, I was a mud hen.

From The Guardian

Then drawing the magic hook, he baited it with the Alae or sacred mud hen belonging to his Mother Hina.

From Project Gutenberg