Nature Table: The Coot

Coots are among the most easily identified water birds with a dark, slate-grey body, an ivory beak topped by a distinct white frontal shield and yellow-green legs with over-sized, lobed toes.

They are slightly larger than water hens. At this time of year they are pugnaciously territorial. They build a floating nest, usually in a reed bed, and the male, often backed up by the female, defends it and the surrounding area. The result is often a noisy fight involving much splashing if another coot comes too near. The territories are usually larger than they need to be, which means a small lake only has space for one pair.

They are vegetarians, eating water weeds and algae, though when they dive to forage for these they are clumsier than water hens.