Red-knobbed Coot

Fulica cristata

Inland waters. Told by white bill and frontal shield.

Coots, Gallinules, Moorhens

Not Endemic

Description

Very common resident. The only all-black waterbird with white frontal shield and bill; legs and lobed (not webbed) feet grey. Immature is ash-brown, no white shield. Normal call ‘clukuk’ or ‘crornk’. Solitary or in groups on open inland waters with reed beds. Swims, occasionally dives, or walks at edges of reed beds or on shoreline, occasionally further afield in marshlands. Habitually stands on floating nest mounds. Frequently pursues other coots in noisy overwater chases.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Small to fairly large, long-legged, large-footed, mainly freshwater-associated birds. A few species inhabit grassland, vleis or lush forest undergrowth. Most water-associated species habitually flick their tails to reveal white undertail coverts. Coots and moorhens are blackish with brightly coloured frontal shields (foreheads) and bills. Gallinules have blue-green plumage. Many species are extremely secretive and almost impossible to see, except when they fly clumsily with feet hanging low over vegetation.