Coot Facts For Kids. Fun Information About Coots

Coots are water birds that look like small ducks but are actually related to rails and cranes. These birds are designed with unusual lobed toes that help them swim and walk on floating plants. Coots live on lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers around the world and have dark feathers with a distinctive white bill.

These busy birds can often be seen diving underwater to eat water plants and small fish. Coots are very territorial and will chase other birds away from their nesting areas with splashing displays. They build floating nests made of water plants anchored to reeds where they raise their fuzzy chicks.