Eurasian Coot

The Eurasian coot is a rail, 36–38 centimetres long with a wingspan of 70–80 centimetres; males weigh about 890 grams and females about 750. It is largely slaty black with a glossy black head, set off by a white bill and white frontal shield. The long, strong toes have partial webbing for swimming. Juveniles are paler than adults with a whitish breast and no facial shield; adult black plumage appears at three to four months, and the shield is fully developed only at about a year. (Wikipedia, general species account)

The coot breeds on freshwater lakes and ponds across much of the Old World, and has adapted well to urban parks and gardens. It is resident in milder regions but moves further south and west from much of Asia as waters freeze. Much less secretive than most rails, it swims on open water or walks over waterside grass. It is aggressive and strongly territorial in the breeding season, with both parents defending, and may gather in large flocks outside it. It is reluctant to fly and runs across the water, splashing, to take off. (Wikipedia, general species account)