Fulica atra

Interesting facts: The coot bobs its head rhythmically when swimming, before it makes a little jump and dives. The species feeds on aquatic plants and insects living in the water, on the land it eats small animals, like insects, earthworms and snails.

Characteristics: roundish body with black plumage, beak white with a white frontal shield; lobed toes; chicks begin life with red down on the head

Body length: Longer than 30 cm (longer than a blackbird)

Distribution: Standing and flowing water with banks with thick vegetation, also natural ponds and park ponds in town centres