Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra
Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, Coot, 14 species in Australia).
Size: 32-39 cm
Distribution: Almost all of Australia except small areas in central and central-West Australia, and almost half of Southwest WA
Status: Locally Abundant to Common
Habitat: Swamps, reserviors, fresh or brackish open lakes, estuaries
References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest
The Eurasian Coot is a bit like a duck as it is usually seen on water (and basically always either on or near water). It has a white beak and forehead, and red eye, which distinguish it from the Dusky Moorhen (which is otherwise very similar when in the water, though it has green legs which you can see when it is walking on land). The Eurasian Coot has dark grey legs.
They have flaps of skin on their toes, but they are not fully webbed like a duck.
Photo: Wentworth Falls Lake, Blue Mountains NSW
Photo: Wentworth Falls Lake, Blue Mountains NSW
Photo: Wentworth Falls Lake, Blue Mountains NSW
Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Original Scanned Image.
Return to Australian Birds
Return to Site Map
Website by  Linkworks® 2005-2010. This page was last modified on the 18th of March, 2010.
|
