Eurasian coot - Fulica atra

Common Name :	Eurasian coot, Common coot.
Binomial Name :	Fulica atra
Family :	Rallidae
Photo Taken :	Ireland

This bird is commonly known as the Eurasian coot. It is a medium-sized waterbird found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It possesses a distinctive black plumage, a white beak, and a striking red frontal shield. With its unique lobed toes, it is well-adapted to swimming and diving, often seen gliding gracefully across lakes and marshes. The Eurasian coot is an omnivorous species, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. Its loud, raucous call echoes through its wetland habitats, where it constructs floating nests amidst reeds. This adaptable and social bird thrives in a variety of freshwater environments and remains a captivating sight for nature enthusiasts worldwide.

The appearance of male and female Eurasian coots (Fulica atra) is generally similar. Both have black plumage, a white bill, and a distinctive red frontal shield. However, during the breeding season, the frontal shield of the male may become larger and brighter in color compared to the female.


Juvenile coots have a more subdued appearance. They have a blackish-brown plumage with a duller frontal shield, which gradually turns into the adult coloration as they mature. Overall, while there may be subtle differences between the sexes and age groups, the Eurasian coot maintains its characteristic black plumage, white bill, and red frontal shield throughout its life.

Eurasian coots have a diverse and adaptable feeding habit. These omnivorous birds primarily feed on aquatic vegetation such as algae, pondweeds, and water lilies, while also consuming various other plant matter including seeds and grasses. They actively forage for small aquatic animals, such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish, diving underwater and using their lobed toes for propulsion. Grazing in groups or flocks, coots display coordinated swimming and diving behaviors, often near the water's edge. This opportunistic feeding strategy allows them to adapt to the available food sources in their wetland habitats, ensuring a varied diet for their sustenance.

During the breeding season, which typically occurs from spring to summer, Eurasian coots engage in courtship displays and nest building. They form monogamous pairs and construct nests made of vegetation, typically floating on water or built on emergent vegetation near the water's edge.


The female coot lays a clutch of 6 to 10 eggs, which are initially pale in color but gradually become darker and stained due to incubation. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about three weeks until they hatch. Once hatched, the chicks are covered in black down and are capable of swimming and finding food shortly after. The parents provide care and protection to the young, feeding them a diet of insects, small invertebrates, and plant matter.


Eurasian coots are known to be highly territorial during the breeding season, fiercely defending their nests and offspring from intruders, including other coots. The breeding season is a critical time for these birds, as successful reproduction ensures the continuation of their species.

Photos of these Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) were taken from Dublin, Ireland in November 2017.


Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icbird.blogspot.com