This is from an old post on a vacation we took to England in the summer of 2015. When I was very young we used to visit this area a lot. I don't remember any other birds there except for the swans, and if we were lucky and at the right time of the year, we would see their cygnets. I still remember the excitement of seeing them as a young child. I remember the excitement of seeing these wonderful Eurasian Coots as an adult.
You can enlarge my photos to get a clearer view. The Eurasian Coot's scientific name is "Fulica atra" and it is recognized by its snowy white bill and forehead shield. The rest of its coloring is a dark sooty grey, but it does have bright red eyes.
Immature birds are generally paler than adults, with a white wash on the throat. Nestlings are downy black with fine yellow tips. The head is orange-red and the bill is red with a creamy white tip.
The Eurasian Coot ranges from Eurasia to Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia. Birds have also recently transported themselves to New Zealand, and the species is quickly becoming established.
Food is mainly obtained during underwater dives which can last up to 15 seconds, and they can swim down to about 21 to 22 feet in depth. Birds also graze on the land and on the surface of the water. In Australia, Eurasian Coots feed almost entirely on vegetable matter, supplementing their diet with a few insects, worms and fish. Birds of the northern hemisphere tend to be much more carnivorous.
They breed any time conditions are favorable and may produce successive broods. During the breeding season pairs establish and maintain territories with vigor. Their aggression is also extended towards other species. Nests of ducks are often seized and used as roosting sites, the unfortunate owner's eggs being pushed off into the water. Young ducks and grebes are sometimes killed. The nest is often a floating raft of vegetation or is built on logs or tree stumps that are surrounded by water. Both male and female coots share incubation and care of the young. If food becomes scarce the young birds may be killed by the parents. Nature can be wonderful but it can also be cruel. I have to keep reminding myself it is very much a matter of survival of the fittest.
I spotted these coots at Torcross in Devonshire a couple of months back (this was actually in the summer of 2010 which I mentioned in the beginning of this post). Across the road from the sea is a fresh water lake. This area is called Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, which you can take a look at here. There were dozens of water birds which were a whole lot of fun to observe. They are quite used to humans. We sat on the bench for a long time, but got up and left when a family arrived with their small dog. The ducks, of course, all headed for the water and were gone. After walking around Torcross Village and on our way back to the car, they had returned and another family had appeared to enjoy the bench we had been sitting on.
I was fascinated by the coots and their very territorial behavior but did not realize they were as aggressive as what I read online. Still, they are a fascinating bird, especially when you look at those enormous, strange looking feet. There is overwhelming evidence that birds are the descendants of a maniraptoran dinosaur, probably something similar - not identical - to a small Dromaeosaur. You can take a look here.
Added note: I found a website with photos of Torcross here. You can enlarge by clicking on them.
Thank you for looking at my coot post, and a happy day to you all.
They are so adorable!
ReplyDeleteTotal cuties - and thanks for the additional information.
ReplyDeleteWell aren't they something. That would be exciting to spot one of those.
ReplyDeleteGreat dissertation on Eurasian Coot, Denise. Now it’s time to cover American Coot (Fulica americana). We’ll look forward to it!
ReplyDeleteI remember being very surprised the first time I saw coots on land. Their legs are so long and their feet just enormous. It's funny to watch them walking across water lily leaves.
ReplyDeleteGreat post on the coots, their chicks are adorable. Take care, have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteVery similar to our coot here in America. I did not know they took over other birds nest however. By just looking at them, they look exactly like our coots, but I am sure there are some differences.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos
ReplyDeleteI like the fuzzy ones. The white marking on their head is so distinctive. Happy Friday, Denise!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. They don't come to Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteYour photos have a real sweetness about them. Thank you for taking on us on this nice ramble. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhhhhhhh how cute I love the little ones with their downy heads and the adult feet as I seem to recall are kind of bluish gray
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Oh my goodness, what fun I have had reading this! Or rather, astonishment! The Coots look a lot like the ones around here. I never knew how aggressive they are! Most birds will protect their young with their lives, yet the Coots will kill them if they get too hungry! And too lazy to build their own nests! Even killing the other chicks! The dinosaur link is so shocking to me! But I do know that birds are descended from dinosaurs. That may account for the violence, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Eurasian Coots! Your memories of childhood encounters with these birds add a lovely personal touch to your observations. The details about their behavior and nesting habits are enlightening and highlight the balance of beauty and brutality in nature.
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Fantastic photos of the Eurasian Coot! I remember seeing them in Australia, but unfortunately they were aggressive so we weren't able to observe them for long.
ReplyDeleteI always think their feet are so strange...this was a great post about them.
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