Birds of the month
Head outside and discover fascinating birds each month. Read on for top ID tips, what to listen for, and where to see them.
Birds and wildlife
Eurasian Coot
Fulica atraGroup: Rails, crakes and cootsUK Conservation status:Green
How to identify
The Eurasian Coot is all-black and larger than its cousin, the Moorhen. It has a distinctive white beak and 'shield' above the beak which earns it the title 'bald'. Its feet have lobed flaps of skin on the toes which act in the same way as webbed feet when swimming. It patters noisily over the water before taking off and can be very aggressive towards others.Call
Eurasian Coot
David Farrow / xeno-canto
Conservation status
Green-listed – the lowest level of conservation concern.
Where and when to see them
Difficulty rating - Easy
Widespread, but they prefer still, waters – so keep a look out on reservoirs, slow-moving waterways and lakes.
Key
- Resident
- Passage
- Summer
- Winter
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Behaviour
Coots are easy to separate from Moorhens by their bright white blaze and bill. And like Moorhens, they glide across lakes all around the UK, diving down to forage on pondweed, algae and invertebrates. On a still day, they can look very graceful indeed. However, chaos can be just around the corner...
In the breeding season, Coots become very territorial, and pairs will become aggressive to anyone or anything that crosses their patch. They fend off intruders by pattering across a pond or lake, splashing their huge feet, and beating their wings on the water.
A fracas can also signal the arrival of a predator, as Coots make plenty of noise when taking off. Look out for the signs of Otters if birds erupt into a sudden frenzy.