The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra – Fulica means ‘coot’, and atra means ‘black’), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield.(which gives rise to the phrase “as bald as a coot”.
A Good swimmer, it has partial webbing on its long strong toes. They have small wings compared to the body size and need a long run up before take off. Coots can be very brutal to their own young under pressure such as the lack of food and can bite and kill them if begging is excessive.
Shot in Coorg. Nikon Gears, May 2025.
