The American Coot is a plump, slate gray, duck like bird that belongs to a family of marsh birds which typically inhabits freshwater ponds and marshes.  Coots are covered with slate gray body feathers with a black head and neck. They have stubby white bills with a black ring near the tip, a white forehead shield with a reddish spot, and red eyes.  This Coot was recently seen in a flock of crazy coots splashing around Shivericks Pond behind the Post Office.

More info on American Coots:

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/spohnhol_cait/index.htm

http://www.avibirds.com/pdf/A/Amerikaanse%20Meerkoet5.pdf

http://www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/American_Coots.html