Eurasian Coot

The Eurasian Coot, often simply called the Coot, is a plump, all-black to sooty-grey waterbird with a rounded body and a conspicuous pure white bill and frontal shield that sharply contrast with its dark plumage. Its eyes are red, and its legs are greenish with lobed toes adapted for swimming.

One of the most familiar waterbirds across much of Eurasia, the Coot is a common sight on everything from wild lakes to urban park ponds, often forming large winter flocks on open water.

Key field marks

• Solid black to sooty-grey body
• Bright white bill and rounded frontal shield
• Red eyes
• Greenish legs with lobed toes
• No white markings on the flanks

Similar species

The Common Moorhen has a red-and-yellow bill and shield along with a white line along the flanks, both of which the all-black, white-billed Coot lacks. Ducks have flattened bills, unlike the Coot's narrow white bill.

Habitat

Eurasian Coots use freshwater lakes, reservoirs, slow rivers, and marshes, and readily adapt to town and city park ponds.

Range and migration

Widespread across Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa, and Australia. Northern and continental populations are migratory, moving south or to milder coastal waters for winter, when large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands, gather on major lakes.

Behavior

Highly gregarious outside the breeding season but strongly territorial and aggressive while nesting, with frequent chasing and fighting between rival pairs.

Voice

Loud, sharp, explosive calls, including a distinctive 'kowk' note.

Feeding

Feeds by diving and dabbling for aquatic vegetation and algae, supplemented with insects, mollusks, and small fish.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a bulky nest of reeds and other plant material near the water's edge, with both parents sharing incubation and chick care.