Mounted purple coot. The purple coot grows to 38 to 50 centimetres. It has a shiny dark blue and purple plumage with a large thick bright red bill and long, bright red legs with long toes. It also has a bright red shield on the forehead and white undertail coverts. Juvenile birds are greyer, have duller plumage and have a greyer bill and legs. Purple coots do not like to swim, but they climb in reeds or run on the ground. In flight, they can be recognised by their dangling legs.