Coot chicks

Mother smiles at coot chick on first outing

The expression "bald as a coot" may derive from the pinkish white head-shield of the adult rather than the unusual bald red head of the chick.

Bald as a coot, but has ginger neck hair

An older chick which has lost its red head

Older chick still has down but head also has grey down and face is white rather than red

Juvenile coot has grey feathers and small face shield