Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

About Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Kingdom: Animals
Phylum: Chordates
Class: Birds
Order: Cranes, Rails, and Allies
Family: Rails, Gallinules, and Allies

The coot feeds on pondweeds and invertebrates (4); it dives rather clumsily to obtain food, and returns to the surface rapidly thanks to its cork-like buoyancy (6). Unlike ducks, coots bring their food to the surface before eating it; this results in frequent cases of food stealing (4). They are opportunistic birds, and may feed in grasslands at certain times of the year (6). During winter, large flocks may gather on large lakes and reservoirs (10), these gatherings are relatively peaceful compared to the fierce territorial aggression seen during the breeding season (2). The nest, a mound of dead reeds, is usually built amongst emergent vegetation (6). From mid-March, between 6 and 9 speckled eggs are laid (occasionally up to 15 eggs, though these large clutches may be laid by more than one female (10)). The eggs are incubated by both parents for up to 24 days (6). The chicks leave the nest a few days after hatching, and reach independence at around 8 weeks of age (6). Two broods are produced a year, but occasionally a third brood may occur (6).
Wildscreen

Lifelists

Trips

Visits

2002-11-12

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Seen from the train between Airport and center.
2006-01-09

Kheoladeo National Park, India
2006-03-23

Sultan's Marsh Bird Paradise, Turkey
2006-03-25

Goksu Delta, Turkey
2006-04-04

Chiemsee, Germany
2008-07-19

Irkutsk - Freeway Swamps, Russia

swampy areas near railway station. The only location in Russia where I saw them.
2010-12-31

London, England
2011-02-01

London, England
2012-01-19

Mata Kopee Lagoon, New Zealand

Local Name: Australasian Coot.
2012-11-15

Lake Barrine, Australia
2012-11-20

Sydney - Centennial Park, Australia
2012-11-21

Royal National Park, Australia
2012-11-23

Wollongong Lagoon, Australia
2013-01-08

Lijiang - Lashihai Wetland Park, China
2015-03-17

Ostensjovannet, Norway
2015-03-24

Los Molinos, Spain
2015-03-26

Juego de Bolas, Spain
2015-03-31

Casar de Caceres, Spain
2017-11-25

London, England
2019-10-02

Orkney Islands, England
2019-10-05

London, England
2021-09-24

Oxford, England
2021-09-26

Selsey, England
2021-09-27

Selsey, England
2021-09-28

Selsey, England
2023-04-03

King's Park and Botanic Garden, Australia
2023-04-06

King's Park and Botanic Garden, Australia
2023-04-12

Lake Seppings, Australia
2023-04-14

Manning Lake, Australia
2023-04-22

Kalbarri National Park, Australia
2024-02-16

Ueno Park, Japan
2024-02-16

Tokyo Imperial Palace, Japan
2024-02-21

Tokyo Wild Bird Park, Japan
2024-02-22

Naha Triangular Pond, Japan
2024-02-25

Amami-Oshima , Japan
2024-02-27

Izumi - Crane Center, Japan
2024-02-28

Izumi - Crane Center, Japan
2024-02-28

Kyoto - Kamo River, Japan
2024-02-29

Kyoto - Osawa Pond, Japan
2024-03-01

Kasai Rinkai Park, Japan
2024-03-02

Tama River, Japan
2025-01-25

Alberca de Loreto, Spain
2025-02-21

Oued Massa, Morocco
2025-02-24

Merzouga, Morocco
2025-03-04

Bonanza, Spain
2025-03-11

Parque Nacional Tablas Daimiel, Spain