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

Recording: Grégoire Chauvot · CC0
Photo: Jules Reppert · 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: Sergio Garrido Villa · CC BY 4.0

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