BIRDS

COOTS AND MOORHENS

Coot are omnivorous, but mainly feed on plant material. They have a preference for shallow vegetated lakes. They dive to find small invertebrates and usually surface with their catch before eating. This can sometimes leads to squabbles with others over food. Cootlings are tended by both parents and leave the nest after 3 or 4 days. They are totally independent after about 8 weeks. A group of Coots is called a 'cover', or 'covert'.

Moorhen has a red and yellow beak, dark brown back and wings and a blackish belly with white stripes on the flanks.