About the Eurasian Coot
The Eurasian coot, also known as the common coot or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar in appearance.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Eurasian Coot sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Canada, Sudan, Gambia, Niger.
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
American CootFulica americanaThe American coot measures 34–43 cm (13–17 in) in length with a wingspan of 58 to 71 cm (23 to 28 in).
Red-knobbed CootFulica cristataThe red-knobbed coot is largely black except for the white frontal shield.
Red-gartered CootFulica armillataThe red-gartered coot is 43 to 51 cm (17 to 20 in) long.
Side by side: American Coot vs Eurasian Coot · Eurasian Coot vs Red-knobbed Coot · Eurasian Coot vs Red-gartered Coot
Learn the Eurasian Coot for real
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