The Eurasian coot, also called the common coot or Australian coot, is a bird in the rail and crake family, the Rallidae. You can find it in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a shiny black head, and a white bill with a white frontal shield. Males and females look alike. Similar coot species exist worldwide, with the greatest variety in South America.
The Eurasian coot measures 36–38 cm (14–15 in) long and has a wingspan of 70–80 cm (28–31 in). Males weigh around 890 g (31 oz) and females about 750 g (26 oz). Its body is mostly black, except for the white bill and frontal shield, which is where the phrase “as bald as a coot” comes from. As a swimming bird, it has some webbing on its long toes. The young coots are paler and have no facial shield. They develop adult black feathers at about 3–4 months old, while the white shield takes about a year to fully grow.
The Eurasian coot is quite noisy and has many calls, including crackling and trumpeting voices, often heard at night. It breeds in many parts of the Old World, like freshwater lakes and ponds. Like the common moorhen, it lives well in urban areas, often found in parks and gardens with water access. It breeds in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa, and has recently started breeding in New Zealand. In winter, it migrates from colder parts of Asia to warmer areas as lakes freeze. Occasionally, it can be spotted in North America.
Unlike most rails, the Eurasian coot is visible swimming on open water or walking on grasslands near water. It is aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding season, with both parents working to defend their territory. During non-breeding season, they may form large flocks, likely to avoid predators. They don’t fly easily; they run across the water to take off, making a big splash. They also run to escape from intruders while on land. When they need to migrate at night, they can cover long distances. When swimming, they bob their heads and make short dives.
In fights with other birds, especially other coots, they charge at their opponents and hit them with their legs.
Coot nests are bulky and can float on the water or be built in shallow areas on low logs or stumps. The nests are made of plant stems and leaves and lined with finer materials. Usually hidden in vegetation, they can be placed in open areas. Both parents help build the nest, with the male mainly collecting materials. They lay eggs daily, with a typical clutch containing six to ten smooth, buff-colored eggs, which have dark speckles. The eggs are about 53 mm × 36 mm (2.1 in × 1.4 in) and weigh around 38 g (1.3 oz). Both parents incubate the eggs, starting after the second egg is laid, and the chicks hatch after 21 to 24 days. The chicks are covered in black down with yellow tips and can feed themselves by around 30 days old and fledge by 55 to 60 days. Eurasian coots usually have one brood each year but may attempt a second brood in places like Britain. They start breeding at one to two years old.
