mud hen

or mudhen

noun

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

mud hen

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mud hen¹

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 was gone; the mud hens were gone.

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