Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/27/2005

Question
Hello,

I live on the West coast of Florida and there is a lake in my backyard. There is a black duck-type of bird (though smaller than a duck) that I have been feeding and it has built a nest on a tree branch that has fallen in the lake. I would like to identify what it is so I can research info. about the eggs and try to find out when I can expect them to hatch, etc.

Here's what I know:
-they don't often come on land
-they have bright yellow long skinny legs
-yellow pointy beak
-one gender has a red stripe down the center of their face and the other does not have a red stripe. It is the one with the red stripe that has been sitting on the eggs so either that is the female or in their world the males sit on the eggs
-the eggs have brown spots on them
-they do not have webbed feet (their toes are skinny and separated; they have three toes)

Any ideas of what bird this is or any website recommendations?

Thanks!

Answer
Well, it's hard to tell from your description. I need more information.
How long is the beak?
What color are they? Totally black?
Is the nest in the tree or on the water?
Can you take a photo - that would be best.
Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com