Eurasian Coot ( Fulica atra )
Eurasian Coot - Eurasian Coot information - Eurasian Coot facts
The Eurasian coot is about 44 cm (17 inches) long. Its head and neck are black and the rest of the body is dark grey. On the other hand, the bill is white continuing in a short white frontal band. The eye iris is brown. The coot has got strong legs with long toes. The sexes are alike.
Fulica atra is distributed from The Great Britain east throughout southern parts of Scandinavia, then the rest of Europe, northern Africa to the central part of Asia. It can be also found in New Zealand and Australia. The coots usually live in flocks in slow flowing rivers and lakes. They prefer shallow waters. They are able to dive, but only for a short period of time. Their diet mainly consists of different plants, fishes and other animals which can be found either in the water or on land.
When breeding the coots can get quite aggressive and can even attack their own species. They live in a nest made of reeds and grass located at the bank. They lay from one to fourteen eggs, which are yellowish brown with some dark spots.
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