American Coot

Description:

American Coots are noisy, gregarious members of the rail family. The coot is a medium-sized diving bird with a white bill, yellow legs, and lobed toes. The feet look oversized for this bird. The body is dark gray to black with a blackish head and neck. Some of the undertail coverts are white and visible, especially during display. Juveniles are paler and have greenish-gray legs. The chick's downy plumage is a colorful orange on the head and neck. In flight, coots may be distinguished by a white trailing edge on most of the wing.

Habitat:

Lake Belton

Notes:

There was a lot of splashing on the beach one morning. When I looked down, a whole group of Coot were on the beach, groomong and splashing around in the shallow water.