Coot

Most people are familiar with this round-bodied and black-feathered bird. However, its close resemblance to a duck - especially while swimming - means that the coot is often not recognised as a bird in its own right.

The coot (Fulica atra) occupies similar habitats to its smaller cousin, the moorhen. They show a preference for shallow, still or slow-moving water, including reservoirs, canals, rivers, ponds and lakes. Passers-by can easily tell the coot from other water birds by way of its distinctive black plumage, white bill and prominent white 'frontal shield'. The sociable birds usually live in flocks and feed together, although coots can also be very territorial and will aggressively chase off any unwanted intruders.

Coots are not graceful creatures. They take off by running along the water, in a flurry of flapping and splashing, and their underwater dives to obtain food are rather clumsily executed. Thankfully, they have a natural cork-like buoyancy and soon bob back to the surface to consume their catch. At feeding times you may hear the coots emit some explosive 'pitts' noises, a sound rather like a hammer striking an anvil. This is due to the coots' quarrelsome habit of stealing food from one another.

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