The Eurasian Coot, or simply Coot, is a species of rail that lives on freshwater lakes and ponds in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. They are mostly black with a white facial shield.
Unlike other birds in the rail family, Coots are commonly seen, swimming on open water or walking across grass fields. They are highly territorial during breeding season and will agressively defend their territory and nestlings. Outside of breeding season they form large flocks; it is not unusual to find huge rafts of the birds in the fall and winter.
Coots are omnivorous, and feed by grazing on land or water, or diving in the water.
