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Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra

Resident in small numbers. A black or dark slate-grey waterbird with a white frontal shield above a white bill. Dives in deeper water for food. Has grey legs and feet with large, lobed toes. Breeds in reedbeds. Skitters across water surface.

Voice: loud 'kerk', 'pit-pit' contact calls.

Call 1: 'kerk' calls, then contact calls
Call 2: birds chasing across the water, then 'kerk' calls

Similar species: Dusky Moorhen has a red frontal shield and bill, tipped yellow; under-edges of tail white. Purple Swamphen is much bigger, has an all-red frontal shield and bill, deep-blue head and body, all-white undertail.

Photographs and sounds courtesy Merilyn Browne.

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