# Eurasian Coot (*Fulica atra*) The Eurasian Coot is a black bird with a white beak and a funny little bump on its forehead. It loves to swim in lakes and ponds, where it dives for food and plays with its friends. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Eurasian Coot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eurasian_Coot.jpg&width=800) Photo: Noodle snacks, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurasian_Coot.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Coot is a medium-sized waterbird, distinct with its dull black plumage, a bright white frontal shield, and a white bill. It has striking red eyes and large, dark grey lobed toes, making it easily identifiable from ducks or other similar waterfowl. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Gruiformes - **Family:** Rallidae - **Genus:** Fulica ## Interesting facts - A group of coots gathered together is often called a 'cootie' or a 'cover.' - Baby coots are born with bright orange-red fluff on their heads! - Coots sometimes lay eggs in the nests of other coots, a sneaky trick! - They often chase other water birds, trying to steal their food! ## Special abilities - **Lobed Paddler:** Eurasian Coot has unique lobed feet that help them paddle efficiently and walk on soft lake bottoms. - **Underwater Diver:** Eurasian Coot can dive expertly underwater to forage for aquatic plants and small invertebrates. - **Territorial Toughness:** Eurasian Coot has aggressive displays to protect its nesting territory from rivals and predators. - **Water Skimmer:** Eurasian Coot can run across the water's surface for short distances when taking flight or escaping danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 32-42 cm - **Wingspan:** 70-80 cm - **Weight:** 0.58-1.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-10 - **Incubation:** 21-24 days ## Diet & Feeding Eurasian Coots are omnivores that eat a mix of aquatic plants and small water creatures. - **Age differences:** Young coots eat more insects, while adults consume more plant material. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic plants, algae, insects, small fish, snails, tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Preys on coot adults and chicks near water bodies. - **Hunts:** [Northern Goshawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-goshawk) (*Accipiter gentilis*) — Can prey on adult coots from the air. - **Eats:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Large pike may snatch coot chicks from the water. - **Shelter:** [Common Reed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-reed) (*Phragmites australis*) — Coots build their floating nests among these tall reeds. - **Eats:** Floating Pondweed (*Potamogeton natans*) — A significant part of the coot's aquatic plant diet. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Coot? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Coot? 32-42 cm ### What is Eurasian Coot's wingspan? 70-80 cm ### How much does Eurasian Coot weigh? 0.58-1.2 kg ### How long does Eurasian Coot live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Eurasian Coot move? 50 km/h ### What does Eurasian Coot eat? Eurasian Coots are omnivores that eat a mix of aquatic plants and small water creatures. ### Where is Eurasian Coot usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Mondragó Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mondrago-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park - [Naturpark Insel Usedom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/usedom-island-nature-park) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park - [Harz Nature Park (Lower Saxony)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harz-nature-park-lower-saxony) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Laguna de Zóñar Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/laguna-de-zonar-nature-reserve) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Naturpark Diemelsee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/diemelsee-nature-park) — Hessen; Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Holsteinische Schweiz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-holsteinische-schweiz) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park [View all places to see Eurasian Coot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-coot) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Coot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-coot)