Fulica atra

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia and parts of Africa. The scientific name is from Latin; Fulica is 'coot', and atra is 'black'. There are two subspecies, only one of which is extant: the Australian coot (F. atra australis) which can be found in Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand; and F. atra pontica, which has been described from the Chalcolithic (around 4800-4400 BP) from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. The Eurasian coot is 32–42 cm (13–17 in) long and weighs 585–1,100 g (1.290–2.425 lb), and is largely black except for the white frontal shield (which gave rise to the phrase 'as bald as a coot', in use as early as 1430). As a swimming species, the coot has partial webbing on its long strong toes.