FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) is a beautiful water bird species native to several regions across Asia, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and North Africa. Notable for its sooty black plumage and a lustrous white frontal shield and bill, this bird species commonly inhabit fresh and brackish marshes, small ponds, reservoirs, pools, gravel pits, barrages, canals, oxbow lakes, lagoons, lakes, and slow-moving waters. These water birds usually forage among floating mats of waterweed or submerged aquatic plants and can often be seen swimming in large flocks or running across the surface of the water.
The Eurasian coot is also known by other names such as the Australian coot and the common coot. Even though the bird resembles a duck, it is not one. In fact, the bird is a member of the Rallidae family which also includes two other bird species, crakes and gallinules. Coots can often be found out in open water. When in the water, these birds do a little jump, make short dives, and bob their heads while swimming. Moreover, these coots are migratory birds and can turn quite aggressive and territorial, particularly during their breeding season.
Continue reading for more interesting facts about these coots from Eurasia interesting. If you like reading about different species of birds, do check out our articles on the pelican and swallow-tailed kite.
Fulica atra (Eurasian coot) is a medium-sized species of waterbird and a member of the family Rallidae.
Eurasian coots belong to the class Aves which includes all birds.
According to a 2019 assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, there are between 5,300,000-6,500,000 mature individuals of the Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) left in the wild.
The Eurasian coot or the Australian coot is a species of waterbird that can mostly be seen living in large, slow-moving, or still waters. The birds inhabit freshwater lakes and ponds, pools, reservoirs, gravel pits, barrages, canals, rivers, dykes, creeks, open marshes, oxbow lakes, lagoons, and flood lands.
The general geographical distribution of the Eurasian coot includes regions of Asia, Europe, Australia, North Africa, and New Zealand. Since they are a migratory species, the birds travel across much of Asia to move further west and south to escape the harsh winter. In their native habitats, coots prefer shallow waters that offer enough room for diving and have a muddy bottom abundant in submerged or floating vegetation. Winters will find the birds in inshore or estuarine sea waters. They may also be found in fast-moving rivers, provided they are thriving with vegetation.
The Eurasian coot can be seen forming large flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. This group formation by the birds appears to be a protective mechanism against predators. Coots become particularly aggressive and territorial during the breeding season towards their own kind as well as birds of other species. A group of coots is called a cover or covert.
The lifespan of the Eurasian coot can go up to 15 years.
Adult male and female birds of breeding pairs usually nest in shallow water. The nest is mostly concealed with vegetation but may sometimes be in the open. The nests are bulky and made up of stems, leaves, roots, barks, and twigs. Floating nests are less common.
An adult female coot lays a clutch consisting of six to 10 buff-colored eggs with dark brown or black spots. The number of broods may go up to two per season. The incubation period lasts for 21-26 days. Both the adult male and female parents participate in feeding and caring for the young, even the older young may help the parents feed chicks of newer broods. The young coots are born with black downy feathers. The juvenile birds take about three to five weeks before they can dive and can feed independently by about 30 days. The young fledge when they are 55-60 days old and become fully independent by six to eight weeks. However, juvenile birds remain in their parental territory for as many as 14 weeks to help in defense.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the Eurasian coot is a species of Least Concern.
The adult bird has a dark, glossy black head and a lighter, slaty black plumage with a snowy white bill. The white color of the bill extends upwards to form a white facial shield on the forehead and between the eyes. This white shield and bill against the black body feathers give the coot a distinctive look. The eyes of the bird are bright red. The legs are gray, yellow, and white, with large feet and pale gray tones. The toes are large and have bulb-like swellings. The adult male and female birds look more or less similar with slight differences in size. In contrast, the juvenile birds are not black but wear a paler, brownish-gray plumage with a grayish-white throat and underparts. The juveniles lack the facial shield as well.
No doubt, the small black-colored head and contrasting white bill make coots look not just cute but also quite beautiful.
Coots rely on their vocals for communication. The contact call is typically a single and short 'kowk', 'kow', 'kup', or a sharp 'kick'. While the male's combat call is sharp and explosive, the female gives out a short, croaking sound. Males and females have distinct alarm calls as well. Eurasian coots can be quite noisy, with their calls becoming sharp and explosive when agitated.
The Eurasian coot can range in length between 14-15 in (35.5-38.1 cm) with a wingspan in the range of 28-31 in (70-80 cm). They are almost the same size as the American coot (Fulica americana).
Eurasian coots are quite reluctant to fly and when taking off, the birds run across the water surface. They may run a short distance on land to escape from attackers, but even then, the birds do not really fly.
Male coots weigh about 31.3 oz (890 g), and the females are slightly smaller, weighing about 26.4 oz (750 g).
Male and female coots do not have any distinct names.
Like all other birds, a baby Eurasian coot is called a chick.
The Eurasian coot is an omnivore that feeds on both plant and animal-based food. Its food primarily includes both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation, seeds, as well as algae and grasses. The birds may also prey on adult and larval insects, shrimps, mollusks, leeches, worms, fish, spiders, fish eggs, frogs, small mammals, and bird eggs.
Coots are not known to be poisonous.
Since coots are wild birds that dwell in specific aquatic habitats, they are not suited for keeping as pets.
The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) has four recognized subspecies with diverse geographical distribution. The subspecies are Fulica atra atra (Europe, North Africa, India, Japan, Borneo, Philippines), Fulica atra lugubris (northwest New Guinea, Bali, java), Fulica atra novaeguineae (central New Guinea), and Fulica atra australis (Australia and New Zealand).
The major part of a baby coot's diet consists of mollusks and aquatic insects.
When prepared well, coots' meat is quite tasty to eat.
The Eurasian coot may resemble a diving duck, but the two are quite different. While coots have a short and pointy beak like that of chickens, the beak of ducks is broad and flat. Ducks have webbed feet, and the feet of coots have large lobes with the toes folding back with each step to aid walking on dry land. While both birds dive to forage for food, coots bob back up to the surface to eat their catch, but ducks can feed underwater. Moreover, ducks belong to the family Anatidae, a group distantly related to the coots.
No, the Eurasian coot is not endangered and is categorized as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies to the Eurasian coot species.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Brant facts and Arctic Tern facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Eurasian coot coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.