Coots are often called mudhens or swamphens .They cannot take of  from land they have to run on top of the water  before flying . The nests are built from  hollow and broken dead reeds .They live in  water . They are often found in groups of sixty.It is not difficult to recognise a coot .They have black plumage and an unmistkable white bill and  forehead.They spend most of  their time fighting with each other .Coots bring their food to water. Gulls and Ducks  wait there  and snatch it .Their  length is 38 cm. 

 illustration and story By Thomas Boland