American coots (Fulica americana).  What an odd bunch they are.

Charcoal-colored footballs with stubby little wings and black heads resting atop squat necks.

Red eyes that seem to contradict inherently their gregarious nature.

And oversized legs with pontoon feet, neither of which fits the rest of this strange creature.

But those feet.  Those ingenious, remarkable, bizarre feet.

A strange lot indeed.