coot

Freshwater bird of the genus Fulica in the rail family, order Gruiformes. Coots are about 38 cm/1.2 ft long, and mainly black. They have a white bill, extending up the forehead in a plate, and big feet with four lobed toes. Coots are omnivores, but feed mainly on water weed, except as chicks, when they feed on insects and other invertebrates.

The American coot F. americana is found in North and South America and the Caribbean. It feeds on plants, insects, and small fish.