Fulica atra - Coot

The coot is a medium-sized crake with dull black plumage and a white, flesh forehead. The legs and feet are grey, with lobed webbing to the toes. The young have a grey-brown tinge.

Coots are very common in Wales, where they are resident all the year round. They can be seen on ponds and reservoirs as well as slow-flowing rivers, sometimes visiting the tidal reaches and sheltered estuaries. They dive frequently.

When a coot is in flight, you can see that the wings have white trailing edges.

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