American Coot

Description:

The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Their tiny tail, short wings, and large feet are visible on the rare occasions they take flight. Coots are dark-gray to black birds with a bright-white bill and forehead. The legs are yellow-green. At close range you may see a small patch of red on the forehead.

Habitat:

Orlando Wetlands Park

Notes:

Coots eat aquatic plants on almost any body of water. When swimming they look like small ducks, but on land they look more chicken-like, walking rather than waddling. An awkward and often clumsy flier, they require long running takeoffs to get airborne.