Fulica atra
The Eurasian Coot (*Fulica atra*) is a distinctive and widespread waterbird belonging to the rail family, Rallidae, closely related to other coot species like the American Coot. Easily recognized by its sleek, dark slate-grey to black plumage, contrasting bright white bill, and a prominent white frontal shield above its bill, giving it a unique, somewhat bold appearance. Adults typically measure 32-42 cm (13-17 in) in length, with a wingspan of 58-70 cm (23-28 in) and weigh between 585-1200 g...
Found on a wide variety of freshwater bodies, including lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, canals, and marshes with abundant emergent vegetation for cover and nesting, primarily at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily herbivorous, consuming a wide array of aquatic vegetation including leaves, stems, and seeds, supplemented by small invertebrates such as insects, molluscs, and worms, and occasionally small fish or the eggs of other waterbirds.
Eurasian Coots are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and interacting, often forming large, vocal flocks outside the breeding season, and roosting communally on water or secluded banks at night. Their foraging strategy involves dabbling at the surface, grazing on emergent plants, or d...
The Eurasian Coot boasts an extensive Palearctic range, breeding across most of Europe, large parts of Asia (from temperate to tropical zones), North Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Northern populations are largely migratory, moving south to overwinter in areas where waters remain unfrozen, s...
Least Concern
- Unlike true ducks, coots have unique lobed toes, not fully webbed feet, which help them walk on soft ground and propel them underwater. - They are excellent divers, able to stay submerged for several seconds to forage for food on the bottom of water bodies. - Eurasian Coots are known to lay egg...