Coot Fulica atra

 
   Coot

Fulica atra



Status: Resident at ponds and lakes throughout Ireland, augmented by winter visitors from the Continent and Britain - September to April.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to a decline in the breeding population, as well as the localised wintering range. The European population is considered to be Secure.

Identification: A dark plump bird, similar to Moorhen in size and shape; has a short tail and small head. Useful to remember the old saying - 'as bald as a Coot' to remember the adult birds white forehead and bill, which contrast with its grey body and black head. Has sturdy legs with long lobbed toes, the lobes are used for swimming and are similar to the lobes on grebe toes. Dives from the surface with a small leap. The juvenile is brownish grey and can be told apart from juvenile moorhens by the extensive white on the neck and breast and the absence of any white on the under tail.

Similar Species: Moorhen and Water Rail.


Call: Various calls. Some loud, monosyllabic and often repeated. A frequent call sounds like a stone being struck with a metal bar, explosive and sharp.

Diet: Omnivorous. Feed on both plants animals, but mainly on plants. Food taken from the water surface, including emergent plants and whilst diving. Food includes plant shoots, seeds, insects, algae and fish. Will sometimes steal food from other birds, off it own species or from other species, such as ducks.

Breeding: This species is not as widespread as the Moorhen as it requires larger bodies of water on which to nest. They nest in large shallow water bodies that are rich in nutrients and have abundant bottom vegetation for food and some emergent vegetation for nest anchorage. Widespread but absent from parts of Kerry, Cork, south-west Clare, west Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.

Wintering: Winter distribution is more widespread than breeding distribution, birds are found on lakes, coastal estuaries and river systems, but show a clear preference for large inland lakes.

Where to see: Any large lake in the breeding season. In the winter, important sights for them include Lough Corrib County Galway, Lough Owel in Co. Westmeath and Tacumshin Lake in Co. Wexford (>1,000 birds).
 
 
 
 
 
    Mohosin Ali Angur

Sabdar Ali Market, Boro Bazar, Main Road, Meherpur, Bangladesh. Mobile: 01558-406298, E-mail: editor@mujibnagarkhabor.com