The best trend data for the American Coot are provided by the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS), which systematically samples the core of the Canadian breeding range in the Prairie provinces. It shows considerable variation over time, likely related to water level fluctuations. Abundance peaked in the early 2010s but has since declined substantially, to over 30% below 1970 levels. These fluctuations are also evident in the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which indicates a similar long-term decline of 38%. Because these surveys both have high reliability and show very similar results, there is very high confidence that a moderate decrease has occurred. In southern Ontario, the Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) shows a large decline of 92% since 1995, with similarly steep trends across the Lake Huron, Erie, and Ontario watersheds.

The goal for American Coot is to increase the population to the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. Trend data show that American Coot is currently below its goal range and continuing to decline. Analysis considering the historical population loss and recent trend suggests that it is unlikely that the goal can be met by 2050, so the interim target is to reach 80% of the goal by 2050. Achieving this target, and ultimately reaching the national goal for this species, will require deliberate conservation action.