The Australian coot (Fulica atra australis), The Australian coot is a smart, dark-grey, duck-like waterbird, instantly recognisable from its bright white bill and frontal shield. Coots are related to gallinules – the branch of the rail family that includes pukeko and takahe. Out of the water, a coots stance is more like a small pukeko than a duck. But instead of the pukekos long thin toes, coots have broad fleshy lobes on their short toes, used to give propulsion when swimming. The Australian coot is a recent arrival in New Zealand, first recorded breeding here in 1958.

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