What is It ?

I took this photo yesterday at a lake near us. It's a water-bird which I've never seen before and wondered if any of you knew what it is. It's just slightly smaller than a mallard, has a black neck and head but with a white forehead and bill. It's back was dark but it's underbelly was grey. there were quite a few of them on the lake. No, it's not a coot !

Re: What is It ?

I think it is a coot but it's not our native variety it looks like an American Coot to me.

Re: What is It ?

Black neck white beak duck !
Its loverly

Re: What is It ?

I think it is a coot Alan.
Don't think it is American though, as the American coot doesn't have the white blaze above the beak.

Re: What is It ?

I'm inclined to agree with you Julie. I've just looked on-line at photographs and, while they seem to vary somewhat, they look exactly like some of them. I've never seen them before yesterday and it seems that they have only fairly recently been seen in the UK.

Re: What is It ?

It's certainly not one of our native coots Janela as their feathers are all black, this one was light grey underneath and it's body shape was less rounded.

Re: What is It ?

A Coot is the only duck I could find in my bird book that has a head and bill that colour, but it's interesting Alan. You could send the picture to the RSPB for identification, they would be able to tell you.

Re: What is It ?

Hi Mups, if you google "American Coot UK" you'll see that that is what my bird is I'm sure. I had never heard of that bird until today.

Re: What is It ?

I have only ever seen them once and that was last year, they disappeared almost as soon as they arrived. Hope yours hang around longer !

Re: What is It ?

Sorry to cause controversy but a Coot is not a Duck. It is its own species.
This does look like a American Coot but could have bred with a British Coot
and caused the different colouring. As it is a Coot it could breed with others of the same species. The difference between a Duck and a Coot is their feet