Coot Bird Facts (Fulica atra)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Coot is predominantly black with a slight bluish sheen, contrasting sharply with its white bill and frontal shield. Its body is rounded and plump, with a short tail and lobed feet adapted for swimming. The eyes are distinctive, with a bright red iris.

Juveniles have a duller plumage, often appearing dark grey or brown, with a paler throat and breast. They lack the bright white bill of adults, instead having a darker bill that gradually lightens with age.

Size

Length

36cm to 42cm

Wingspan

70cm to 80cm

Weight

600g to 1000g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

White

Leg Colour

Green Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Coot is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Coot is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Coot can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Coot is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Coot can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Coot is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Coot is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Coot is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Coot is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Coot is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Coot is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Coot is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Coots inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers. They prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation for both food and nesting materials. During winter, some may move to coastal lagoons or estuaries.

The species is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. They are common in the UK and Ireland and have been introduced to Australia and New Zealand, where they have established populations.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Coot. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cambodia Chad China Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland India Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Montenegro Morocco Nepal Netherlands Oman Pakistan Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Australia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mongolia New Zealand North Korea Norway Russia South Korea Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Western Sahara

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bahrain Bangladesh East Timor (Timor-Leste) Faroe Islands Hong Kong Indonesia Laos Libya Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Myanmar Niger Nigeria Palestine Philippines Senegal Singapore Sudan Taiwan Thailand Tunisia Vietnam

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Brunei Canada Djibouti Gibraltar Greenland Maldives Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Coot demonstrates impressive agility in water, being an excellent swimmer and diver. Its ability to run across water surfaces when threatened also showcases remarkable agility. However, its somewhat ungainly gait on land slightly reduces its overall agility rating.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong, Coots possess moderate strength for their size. Their ability to dive and forage underwater, as well as construct large floating nests, indicates a decent level of strength. Their plump build also suggests reasonable muscle mass.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Coots exhibit high adaptability, thriving in various freshwater habitats from natural wetlands to urban park lakes. Their omnivorous diet and ability to adjust to different climates (from temperate to tropical) further demonstrate their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Coots are known for their aggressive territorial behaviour, often engaging in dramatic fights with intruders. This high level of aggression is particularly evident during breeding seasons and in defence of their nesting areas.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Coots display good endurance, particularly in aquatic environments. Their ability to swim and dive for extended periods whilst foraging, coupled with their partial migratory nature, indicates solid endurance. However, they are not known for extremely long-distance flights, which prevents a higher rating.

Diet

Coots are omnivorous, eating primarily aquatic plants, algae, and small invertebrates. They forage by diving underwater or grazing on land near the water's edge.

In urban areas, they may supplement their diet with bread and other human-provided food, though this is not recommended for their health.

Behaviour

Coots are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks on open water. They are excellent swimmers and divers, using their lobed feet to propel themselves underwater when foraging.

On land, they walk with a distinctive bobbing gait, and when threatened, they can run across the water's surface, flapping their wings to gain speed.

Vocalisation

Coots are vocal birds known for their loud, explosive calls. Their most common vocalisation is a sharp, metallic 'kow-kow' or 'kyow-kyow', often repeated in rapid succession. During territorial disputes or when alarmed, they may produce a variety of grunts, croaks, and high-pitched squeals.

Nesting & Breeding

Coots typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which varies by location but generally occurs in spring and early summer. Courtship involves head-bobbing displays and mutual preening.

Nests are large, floating platforms made of aquatic vegetation, often anchored to emergent plants. The female lays 6-10 pale buff eggs with dark speckles. Both parents contribute to nest building and incubation.

Incubation lasts about 21-24 days. Chicks are precocial and can swim shortly after hatching, but their parents feed them for several weeks. They reach independence at about eight weeks old.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Coot is currently listed as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and large population, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, which benefit Coots and many other waterbird species.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

7,950,000 - 9,750,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Coots in open water bodies, including lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.
Listen for their distinctive loud 'kow-kow' calls, which can help locate them in dense vegetation.
Observe their unique diving behaviour, where they leap slightly before submerging.
In the UK, visit wetland reserves like the London Wetland Centre or RSPB Minsmere for excellent Coot-watching opportunities.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eurasian Coot, Common Coot

Family:

Rallidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Predators

Adult Coots face predation from large birds of prey, such as eagles and large gulls, while eggs and chicks are vulnerable to corvids, pike, and various mammals including foxes and otters.

Did You Know?

Coots have lobed feet rather than webbed feet, which allows them to both swim efficiently and walk on land.
They are known for their aggressive territorial behaviour, often engaging in dramatic fights with intruders.
Coot chicks have brightly coloured head plumage that helps parents identify and feed them in the nest.