Coot
| International Name: | Eurasian Coot | Scientific Name: | Fulica atra |
| Length: | 36-38 cm (14-15") | Wing Span: | 70-80 cm (28-32") |
| Weight: | 600-1000 g (1 ½ -2 ¼ lb) | Breeding Pairs: | 46 000 |
| Present: | All Year | Status: |  Green List |
Description
The Coot is plump with a short tail. The plumage is sooty-grey, and its bill and frontal shield are white. Their feet have lobed toes.
Juveniles are more grey and have a white throat.
The Coot is similar to the Moorhen, but is larger and has white, not red, bill and shield. Also, Coots tend to feed in the water, whereas Moorhens feed at the water's edge.
Coots form large flocks in the winter, and the population quadruples with continental winter visitors.
Voice
The Coot has a large repertoire of calls, but one of the most common is a surprisingly loud metallic "cut".
Feeding
Coots feed on aquatic plants, like duckweed and grasses, and animals such as snails and larvae brought up from the bottom of the pond or river.
When they venture into gardens they will feed on kitchen scraps and soft seed.
Breeding
The nest is built in shallow water from vegetation, and usually in the shelter of vegetation but can be in the open. During the breeding season, vicious territorial fights can occur.
The Coots eggs are smooth and glossy, buff with dark brown spots. They are about 53 mm by 36 mm. Both parents incubate the eggs and look after the precocial nestlings, which when newly hatched are led to the water by their father.
Several females may lay their eggs in the same nest.
| Breeding Starts | Number of Clutches | Number of Eggs | Incubation (days) | Fledge (days) |
| mid-March | 2-3 | 5-15 | 21-24 | - |
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