BIRD FAMILY
Coots, Gallinules and Moorhens

Red-knobbed Coot
Fulica cristata

A: Bleshoender
Ss: Tshumu
X: unonkqayi
Z: intuntwane

SIZE
43 cm (L)

HABITAT
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.

SPECIES 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’.