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

Lone Coot swimming through calm water, with blurry golden leaves in the foreground
Coot
February’s Birds of the Month

To celebrate World Wetlands Day this month, here are six birds that you might see near water.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts