Fulica atra

Size: Birds Size: 32-39 cm

Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, Coot, 14 species in Australia).

Distribution: Almost all of Australia except small areas in central and central-West Australia, and almost half of Southwest WA.

Status: Locally Abundant to Common

Habitat: Swamps, reserviors, fresh or brackish open lakes, estuaries.

References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest

About the Eurasian Coot

The Eurasian Coot is a bit like a duck as it is usually seen on water (and basically always either on or near water). It has a white beak and forehead, and red eye, which distinguish it from the Dusky Moorhen (which is otherwise very similar when in the water, though it has green legs which you can see when it is walking on land). The Eurasian Coot has dark grey legs.

They have flaps of skin on their toes, but they are not fully webbed like a duck.

Photo: Wentworth Falls Lake, Blue Mountains NSW.

Photo: Wentworth Falls Lake, Blue Mountains NSW.

Photo: Wentworth Falls Lake, Blue Mountains NSW.

Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Higher Resolution 1000 x 679.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods

Return to Australian Birds