Coots are generally found in large groups rather than singly. They nest in the grass and bushes along the shoreline and gather on the lake or river to feed and gather nesting material.

Coots are very much like Gallinules. They are the same size and live and behave alike, except that they have white face shields rather than the red shield of the Gallinule and are quite a bit shyer. I've never been able to get very close to a Coot to get a good photo.

Having a somewhat round and heavy body and short wings, this type of bird doesn't usually fly very high. Most of the time when they are disturbed they will "water walk" - flapping their wings while running on the surface of the water, using their long toes to push against the grasses in the water.

When they do fly it is usually only a wing-beat above the water, but they do have the ability to fly higher if they feel the need.

Coots "water walking".