A small, dark, duck-like rail. Adults solid charcoal gray with a white, chicken-like bill, red or white forehead, and pale yellow legs with large feet and large lobed toes. Juveniles have paler bellies, gray legs and feet and a grayer bill. Very similar to Eurasian and Caribbean Coots. Larger and less slim than Common Moorhen, with all dark body.

Length: 39 (cm) Wingspan: 61 (cm)

Voice:

Makes series of raspy, grating grreek notes. Also makes a loud, croaking kre-yeek.

Habitat:

Inhabits freshwater wetlands or brackish backwaters.

Behavior:

Much less secretive than other rails and gallinules. Forages in small flocks on lawns. Swims across water while pumping head back and forth. Runs on water and flaps wings vigorously to take flight from water.

Feeding:

Diet mostly consists of plant material, but includes small fish, tadpoles, bird eggs, worms, snails, or insects.