This coot's not crazy!

Native, straggling from Australia to New Zealand since 1875 with a large increase and subsequent breeding in the 1950s. Fully protected. Slightly smaller than the pukeko, this bird is seen mainly on water. So I took it on land! They are all smoky grey/black with a white bill and frontal shield and a jerking head when swimming. Which does make them hard to photograph on the water!

I like the feet which are very large and not webbed like a duck but with flaps of skin that are spread when swimming.

They have a harsh cry,

Not sure why we say crazy as a coot but they do have some odd courtship behaviours!