Bird Guide

Eurasian Coot vs Red-gartered Coot

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra

Large717 gWetland

The Eurasian coot is 36–38 cm (14–15 in) in length with a wing-span of 70–80 cm (28–31 in); males weigh around 890 g (31 oz) and females 750 g (26 oz). It is largely black except for the white bill and frontal shield (which gives rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot", in use as early as 1430). As a swimming species, the coot has partial webbing on its long, strong toes. The sexes are similar in appearance.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eurasian Coot
Recorded by Grégoire Chauvot · Lidingö, Danderyd Municipality, Stockholms län, Sweden · CC0
Photo: Alexis Lours · CC BY 4.0
Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata)

Red-gartered Coot

Fulica armillata

Large1.0 kgWetland

The red-gartered coot is 43 to 51 cm (17 to 20 in) long. The sexes are alike. Adults have a yellow bill and frontal shield with a patch of red between them. (The bill is sometimes reddish.) Their legs are orange-yellow to yellow with a pale red "garter" above the ankle. Their plumage is slaty gray that is blacker on the head and neck. Their undertail coverts are white. Immature birds have a paler bill than adults and olive legs and feet. Juveniles are drab gray-brown with dusky mottling on a white head and neck. Voice: Male red-gartered coots make a "whistled 'huit'" alarm call, in aggression "an explosive 'pit' and repeated 'wuw'", and when near a female a "repeated soft 'cuit'". The female's alarm call is "yec" and it also makes a "loud, repeated 'terr'."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eurasian Coot and Red-gartered Coot.