From Opus

Fulica alai

Photo by zerb21 in Kanaha Pond, Maui, Hawaii, USA

[edit] Identificaton

Dark grey, white bill and patch on top of head, white undertail feathers. Sexes similar.

[edit] Distribution

Most Hawaiian Islands

[edit] Taxonomy

• A monotypic species.
• Formerly lumped within American Coot, F. americana.

[edit] Habitat

Fresh and brackish-water marshes and ponds.

[edit] Behaviour

It builds a floating nest and 4-10 eggs are laid.

Diet includes seeds and leaves of aquatic plants, insects, tadpoles, and small fish.

They rarely fly, but are capable of sustained flight close to the water.

[edit] External Links