Bird

Red knobbed Coot Sightings

Fulica cristata

Prey speciesSeen in 4 parks

Want to know where and when to find Red knobbed Coot right now? opspoor tracks live, verified sightings across South Africa's parks.

About the Red knobbed Coot

The red-knobbed coot is a large waterbird associated with freshwater lakes, dams, rivers and wetlands across parts of Africa. It is mostly black with a distinctive white frontal shield and red facial knobs above the bill. It feeds primarily on aquatic vegetation, supplemented by invertebrates and other small aquatic prey. It is a strong swimmer and is often seen in groups on open water, where it can become territorial during breeding.

How to identify the Red knobbed Coot

Large dark waterbird with a distinctive red frontal shield and red knob above the bill, black plumage, white undertail and strong grey legs with lobed toes.

Did you know?

The Red-knobbed Coot has unusually large lobed toes rather than fully webbed feet, allowing it to swim efficiently while also walking across muddy vegetation.

Also known as: Rooiknobbelmeerkoet, Coot

Parks where you can see the Red knobbed Coot

Recent Red knobbed Coot sightings

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Planning a South Africa safari? opspoor tracks real, verified wildlife sightings like these across the country's parks — logged by people on the ground, not guesswork. It all works with zero signal, too, so a dead zone deep in the bush never costs you a sighting.