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| − | [[Image:Common_Coot.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|jenygard|jenygard}}]] | + | '''Alternative names: Common Coot; Black Coot; European Coot'''[[Image:Common_Coot.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|jenygard|jenygard}}<br />Southern [[Germany]]]] |
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;[[: Category:Fulica|Fulica]] atra | ;[[: Category:Fulica|Fulica]] atra | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | The Common Coot is very dark grey with a black head and neck, a white forehead and beak and red eyes. The feet are large and lobed. Newly hatched young are mostly black and have a typical red head. Older juveniles and immatures have pale breast and throat and are mostly light grey to grey-brown on the rest of the plumage. At these ages, the bill is yellowish. | + | The Common Coot is very dark grey with a black head and neck, a white forehead and beak and red eyes. The feet are large and lobed. |
| + | |||
| + | Newly hatched young are mostly black and have a typical red head. Older juveniles and immatures have pale breast and throat and are mostly light grey to grey-brown on the rest of the plumage. At these ages, the bill is yellowish. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[Image:CootsFoot1_Slim_17May09.JPG|thumb| | + | [[Image:CootsFoot1_Slim_17May09.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Detail of a Coot's foot, photo by {{user|AlanR|AlanR}}<br />[[Slimbridge]], [[England]], [[UK]] ]] |
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| − | Western [[Palearctic]]: a common and widespread bird breeding from the [[British Isles]] and [[Iberia]] east to [[Russia]] and from southern parts of [[Norway]], [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]], south to the Mediterranean. Also breeds on the [[Balearic Islands]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and [[Cyprus]]. A very local breeder in northwestern [[Africa]] and the Nile Delta, in [[Turkey]] and the [[Middle East]], has bred in the [[Canary Islands]]. Populations in the north and east are migratory, the remainder are resident, dispersive or partially migratory. More widespread in southern parts of the region in winter. Regular winter visitor to the [[Azore Islands]] (has bred) and the Canary Islands. | + | Western [[Palearctic]]: a common and widespread bird breeding from the [[British Isles]] and [[Iberia]] east to [[Russia]] and from southern parts of [[Norway]], [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]], south to the Mediterranean. Also breeds on the [[Balearic Islands]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and [[Cyprus]]. |
| + | |||
| + | A very local breeder in northwestern [[Africa]] and the Nile Delta, in [[Turkey]] and the [[Middle East]], has bred in the [[Canary Islands]]. Populations in the north and east are migratory, the remainder are resident, dispersive or partially migratory. More widespread in southern parts of the region in winter. Regular winter visitor to the [[Azore Islands]] (has bred) and the Canary Islands. | ||
[[Asia]] and [[Australasia]]: Found in much of the region with northern populations being migratory. | [[Asia]] and [[Australasia]]: Found in much of the region with northern populations being migratory. | ||
====Vagrancy==== | ====Vagrancy==== | ||
Vagrant north to Svalbard, [[Iceland]] (has bred) and the [[Faroe Islands]]. | Vagrant north to Svalbard, [[Iceland]] (has bred) and the [[Faroe Islands]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Young_coot_by_AlanR.jpg|thumb|350px|right|A young Coot, photo by {{user|AlanR|AlanR}}<br />[[Cotswold Water Park]], [[England]], [[UK]] ]] | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup> | + | ====Subspecies==== |
| + | There are 4 subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>: | ||
*''F. a. atra'' - Palearctic; winters to Africa, Indonesia and Philippines | *''F. a. atra'' - Palearctic; winters to Africa, Indonesia and Philippines | ||
*''F. a. lugubris'' - Mountains of Java and northwest New Guinea | *''F. a. lugubris'' - Mountains of Java and northwest New Guinea | ||
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*''F. a. australis'' - Wetlands of Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Buru Island. | *''F. a. australis'' - Wetlands of Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Buru Island. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | [[Image:Flying coot.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|LensNV|LensNV}}]] | ||
Breeds on lakes and large ponds, frequently on reservoirs, gravel-pits and ponds in urban parks and also slow-flowing rivers. In winter often moves to larger; more open waterbodies, estuaries and on occasion, the sea. Not shy and frequently feeds in fields. | Breeds on lakes and large ponds, frequently on reservoirs, gravel-pits and ponds in urban parks and also slow-flowing rivers. In winter often moves to larger; more open waterbodies, estuaries and on occasion, the sea. Not shy and frequently feeds in fields. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
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''[[Media:Fulica atra (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Fulica atra (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | # | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#Avibase |
| − | # Avibase | + | #Birdlife International |
| − | # Birdlife International | + | {{ref}} |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Fulica+atra}} | {{GSearch|Fulica+atra}} | ||
Revision as of 00:16, 18 December 2012
Alternative names: Common Coot; Black Coot; European Coot
- Fulica atra
Identification
The Common Coot is very dark grey with a black head and neck, a white forehead and beak and red eyes. The feet are large and lobed.
Newly hatched young are mostly black and have a typical red head. Older juveniles and immatures have pale breast and throat and are mostly light grey to grey-brown on the rest of the plumage. At these ages, the bill is yellowish.
Distribution
Western Palearctic: a common and widespread bird breeding from the British Isles and Iberia east to Russia and from southern parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland, south to the Mediterranean. Also breeds on the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia, Sicily and Cyprus.
A very local breeder in northwestern Africa and the Nile Delta, in Turkey and the Middle East, has bred in the Canary Islands. Populations in the north and east are migratory, the remainder are resident, dispersive or partially migratory. More widespread in southern parts of the region in winter. Regular winter visitor to the Azore Islands (has bred) and the Canary Islands.
Asia and Australasia: Found in much of the region with northern populations being migratory.
Vagrancy
Vagrant north to Svalbard, Iceland (has bred) and the Faroe Islands.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies1:
- F. a. atra - Palearctic; winters to Africa, Indonesia and Philippines
- F. a. lugubris - Mountains of Java and northwest New Guinea
- F. a. novaeguinea - Mountains of central New Guinea (some sources does not recognize this subspecies, instead including these birds in F. a. lugubris2)
- F. a. australis - Wetlands of Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Buru Island.
Habitat
Photo by LensNV
Breeds on lakes and large ponds, frequently on reservoirs, gravel-pits and ponds in urban parks and also slow-flowing rivers. In winter often moves to larger; more open waterbodies, estuaries and on occasion, the sea. Not shy and frequently feeds in fields.
Behaviour
After breeding, this species has a period where moult makes the birds unable to fly3.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Fulica atra (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Avibase
- Birdlife International
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Coot. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Coot
External Links
