American Coot

Description:

Black in color, with red eyes and white beak with a red spot on top, Coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step in order to facilitate walking on dry land.

Habitat:

Spotted in the Reservoir, Central Park, New York. The American coot is a migratory bird that occupies most of North America, they live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America.

Notes:

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae Genus: Fulica Species: F. americana