Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Eurasian Coot is a black waterbird that rarely visits North America. It resembles the American Coot, but its white bill lacks the black ring near the tip.

Appearance

Appearance: Adults are about 14–15 in (36–38 cm) long, with a dark body, a white bill and , and long toes with broad side lobes.

Look-alikes

American CootFulica americana

An American Coot usually shows a black ring near the tip of its pale bill and, at close range, a small red patch above the white shield. A Eurasian Coot has a cleaner white bill and shield without that black bill ring.

Why they get mixed upBoth are dark, round-bodied waterbirds with pale bills and lobed toes.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: freshwater lakes
ponds
slow rivers
urban park lakes
Range: Its regular range spans Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States it is an recorded in Alaska.
Seasonal presence: Populations in mild parts of its range stay year-round, while northern birds move south or west when water freezes.

Behavior

Diet: It eats mostly aquatic plants and seeds, along with snails, insects, and other small animals.
Activity: It swims in open water, dives for food, and often runs while splashing across the surface before taking flight.
Social life: Pairs defend breeding territories, but birds may gather in large flocks outside the breeding season.

Life cycle

Nest: Both adults build a bulky nest from plant stems and leaves, usually floating or set in shallow water among vegetation.
Clutch size: Usually 5–7 eggs
Incubation: Both parents incubate for about 21–24 days.
Fledging: Young typically become able to fly in about 55–60 days.

Name and classification

About the name: It is also called the common coot.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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