Page 21 - Cornwall Issue 4 2024

THE BIG PICTURE

RED-KNOBBED
COOT

Afrikaans: Bleshoender
A common sight in dams, lakes
and pans, the Red-knobbed Coot
is a medium-sized waterbird.
Characterised by a black body,
white underbelly and a prominent
red knob on its forehead, this bird
is not the most agile flier, capable
only of short bursts of flight. They
spend most of their time on the
water's surface, feeding on a
varied diet of aquatic plants and
small invertebrates. Interestingly,
Red-knobbed Coots possess the
remarkable ability to run on water
to escape predators. They achieve
this feat by propelling themselves
with rapid leg movements while
using their wings for balance.

Cornwall View • Issue 4 2024 19