Phylum: Chordata - Class: Aves - Order: Gruiformes - Family: Rallidae
Identification - Distribution - Lifecycle - Food - Predators - Reference Sources
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 Britain, 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.
This page includes pictures kindly contributed by the Countryside Council for Wales.