Eurasian Coot

Eurasian Coot: Medium, squat marsh bird, all black with white bill, frontal shield. Eye-rings are red, legs are yellow-gray. Feeds on aquatic plants, insects, amphibians, mollusks and small fish. Agressive towards other water birds. Swift direct flight on rapid wing beats, feet protrude beyond tail.

Range and Habitat

Eurasian Coot: Found in slow moving fresh or coastal waters. Very rarely appears in the Pribilof Islands of Alaska, Newfoundland, Labrador.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Eurasian Coot is able to compress its feathers and squeeze out all of the air, which allows it to dive deeply and for longer periods. They are reluctant to fly, and when taking off they run across the surface of the water splashing as they go. If food becomes scarce, the young birds may be killed by the parents. A group of coots has many collective nouns, including a "codgery", "commotion", "fleet", "shoal", and "swarm" of coots.