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Coots are found all over Australia in every type of wetland. They are dark, slate grey
birds with a whitish bill and head shield. They can look a bit like blue-billed ducks
but the white head shield is fairly obvious. Also, the head is smaller and so is the bill.
You'll find them often in large flocks and they mix freely with all other waterfowl.
They dive for their food like hardheads and blue bills but they are not strong fliers.
When disturbed, they patter over the water with rapid wing beats and keep low to the
surface. They always fly with their long legs trailing up behind, a very distinctive feature. Or
they use their legs to walk to a stop.
The overall dark colour of coots and the white head shield are good points to remember, and
keep in mind the fast wing beats and trailing legs when they fly.