7

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) Alternate name(s): Race "atra": "Common Coot"; race "australis": "Australian Coot", "Toorie" Aboriginal name(s): "galundirgin" [eastern bundjalung]; "kipul" [tjapwurrung]; "kidjibroon", "moolyawindo" (WA); "kirli" Size: 35-38 cm; wing span 70-80 cm Body mass: 585-1100 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.45-0.55

Australia: Family Group 7 Family Group 7 Table Dusky Moorhen Australasian (Purple) Swamphen Black-tailed Native-hen Tasmanian Native-hen Pale-vented Bush-hen Eurasian Coot White-browed Crake Spotless Crake Baillon's Crake Australian Spotted Crake Lewin's Rail Buff-banded Rail Red-necked Crake Chestnut Rail White-breasted Waterhen Lord Howe Woodhen Australian Bustard Brolga Sarus Crane Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Eurasian Coots are medium-sized waterhens. Their plumage is dark slate-grey, with a black head. The irises are red, the legs and feet are grey. They are the only waterhens with a white frontal shield and bill. Juvenile Eurasian Coots have a pale throat and duller plumage than adults. Twitcher's tip As opposed to Australian (Purple) Swamphens and Dusky Moorhens, they have a grey bill and white frontal shield.

Taxonomy, classification See Eurasian Coot at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Eurasian Coot is available HERE . Eurasian Coots can be found basically all over central Europe, the British islands, southern Scandinavia, most of the Mediterranean and throughout temperate Asia plus the Indian subcontinent and, via far-east Asia, into Australia and New Zealand. In western and central Europe and in (sub)tropical Asia they are permanent residents, while in Asia Minor, Israel/Palestine and along the northern African coastal fringe they are mostly winter visitors. In Australia Eurasian Coots, race "australis" are found. Their range is similar to those of other gallinules, but their ability to deal with various conditions leads them just a bit further than others everywhere. They populate most of the Australian continent, except the sandy deserts of WA and the Nullarbor. They are most common in the South-East of the continent, including Tasmania, and in the south-western corner of WA. In the semi-arid interior their distribution will depend on rainfall. Eurasian Coots live in swamps, often around lakes and farm dams, but also in estuaries. They adjust to the presence of humans well and are therefore also common in urban parks. Where to look? How to find this species? Compared with other species of gallinules, Eurasian Coots are seen less often wading along the fringes of fresh water. They tend to paddle across water a lot more and feed from the water side of shores, rather than from the land side. The easiest way to distinguish them from other waterhens is that they have a white forehead and no white spots on their undertails. They are the most likely of the waterhens to cluster into significant flocks, so if you see hundreds of black waterhens close together, they are probably going to be Eurasian Coots.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "australis" In the region of Narrabri, NSW, where we live, Eurasian Coots, race "australis", can be found regularly around freshwater lakes, such as e.g. Narrabri Lake. They were also spotted by us in many locations in central QLD, in particular also, in large numbers, in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009. Special access to the wetlands kindly granted by the owners of Capricorn Resort is most gratefully acknowledged. Subsequently, hundreds of Eurasian Coots, race "australis", were spotted by us at Goran Lake, an ephemeral lake about 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW, in April 2011, which disappeared again when Goran Lake dried up. They were also found by us around many other inland lakes and farm dams in NSW. J. Greaves reports spotting Eurasian Coots, race "australis", regularly in Perth, WA. J. Greaves reports spotting Eurasian Coots, race "australis", at the Granites Gold Mine, inland NT, in June 2015, and at the Kununurra, WA, sewage treatment works in January 2016. They were also seen on Kangaroo Island, SA, in March 2016. C. Pears found a large number of Eurasian Coots, race "australis", at Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA, in August 2017. They are also found regularly in wetlands in Perth, WA. Race "atra" Eurasian Coots, nominate race "atra", were spotted by us in Europe.

Photos

Race "australis"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Eurasian Coot
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, May 2013]

Frontal view of a Eurasian Coot, with in the background a Dusky Moorhen feeding on parts of aquatic plants
(photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2014]

Near-frontal view of a Eurasian Coot puffing up its plumage to impress the competition
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

Near-lateral view of a female Eurasian Coot, with a close-up on its feet with lobed toes
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Raymond Island, Paynesville, VIC, April 2018]

Close-up lateral view of a Eurasian Coot
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, May 2013]

Close-up lateral view of a Eurasian Coot
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2024]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Coot that just finished preening
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

Direct lateral size comparison between a Dusky Moorhen, left, and a Eurasian Coot, right (photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Gold Coast, QLD, June 2014]

Dorsal view of a Eurasian Coot, screaming an alarm
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2010]

Sex unknown

Flock of Eurasian coots in typical habitat
[Wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, July 2009; see credits page for details]

Lateral view of Eurasian Coots making a splash during take-off
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, January 2009]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile Eurasian Coot close to an Australasian Grebe
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Lateral view of three juvenile Eurasian Coots, one of which is preening
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Close-up frontal view of a Eurasian Coot chick on lily pads
[Mudgee, NSW, December 2015]

Close-up near-frontal view of a Eurasian Coot chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up lateral view of a Eurasian Coot chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Coot with 3 chicks (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, November 2024]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a Eurasian Coot chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up dorsal view of a Eurasian Coot chick (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up view of 5 of a clutch of 6 Eurasian Coot chicks (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up view of an adult Eurasian Coot feeding 2 chicks (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up view of an adult Eurasian Coot feeding 2 chicks (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Overview of an adult Eurasian Coot feeding with 3 of its chicks (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Frontal view of a male(?) Eurasian Coot with chicks out on the water; two are begging to be fed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

This hapless Eurasian Coot probably fell prey to a raptor
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Mar

Eggs: 5 - 7

Incubation period: 22 - 26 days

Fledging age: 28 - 42 days

Given the right conditions (and depending on geographical latitude), Eurasian Coots can breed any time of the year.

Eurasian Coots caught in the act...
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Reeds

Height above ground: N/A

The nest can be floating on water, affixed to a plant, or sit on top of a low, flat object, such as e.g. an old reed stump.

Close-up frontal view of a Eurasian Coot on its nest, with two hatchlings visible (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]

Close-up frontal view of a Eurasian Coot on its nest, with an egg and two hatchlings visible (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]

Frontal view of a Eurasian Coot sitting on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanthorpe, QLD, February 2021]

Overview of the location of a Eurasian Coot nest on a suburban lake
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[East Perth, WA, December 2014]

Eurasian Coot nest in reeds around a lake (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, October 2022]

One Eurasian Coot on its nest, while the partner brings in more building material (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, November 2024]

In this view one can see that the Eurasian Coot on the nest is the female (smaller shield), while the male brings in more building material (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, November 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a Eurasian Coot on its well-hidden nest (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Some Eurasian Coots like a more elaborate setup (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, November 2024]

Since Eurasian Coot chicks are precocial, these two youngsters have probably only temporarily returned to their nest
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 52 x 35 mm

Colour: Light-brown, with sparse mid-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Eurasian Coot nest with a clutch of six, one of which has just hatched (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close-up view of a Eurasian Coot chick which has just hatched (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Close look at 6 eggs inside a Eurasian Coot nest (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Eurasian Coot turning its eggs (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Eurasian Coot nest with 7 eggs inside (photo courtesy of D. Johnston)
[Near Baradine, NSW, 1980ies]

Close look at 7 eggs inside a Eurasian Coot nest (photo courtesy of D. Johnston)
[Near Baradine, NSW, 1980ies]

Eurasian Coot on its nest with one egg inside (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[East Perth, WA, December 2014]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Dispersive

Elementary unit: Pair/flock

As opposed to most Moorhens or Swamphens, which are primarily waders, the Eurasian Coot will also dive for food in shallow water.

It never fails to amaze us that even aquatic birds, that spend most of their lives on water, need to bathe...

Near-frontal view of a female Eurasian Coot taking a bath
[Warialda, NSW, April 2014]

Especially outside the breeding season Eurasian Coots tend to form large flocks.

Eurasian Coots can sometimes be found in large congregations; this is one of three flocks seen on a reservoir at the same time
[Gordonbrook Dam, near Kingaroy, QLD, June 2017]

Eurasian Coots can sometimes be found in large congregations
[Wooroolin Wetlands, Wooroolin, QLD, June 2017]

Flock of Eurasian Coots in an urban park (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, July 2026]

Juvenile Eurasian Coots were seen by us to care for each other by allopreening.

Juvenile Eurasian Coots preening one another (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]

Juvenile Eurasian Coots preening one another (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]

Food, Diet

To the best of our knowledge Eurasian Coots feed on aquatic plants and on small animals.

Close-up near-frontal view of a Eurasian Coot sharing an aquatic plant with a dependent juvenile (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, November 2024]

Lateral view of a male Eurasian Coot feeding on algae
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

Lateral view of a Eurasian Coot with a piece of aquatic plant it has just brought up from under the water surface
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, May 2013]

Juvenile Eurasian Coot feeding on parts of an aquatic plant (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]

Why don't you let me have some of that?!
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, March 2023]

Eurasian Coot feeding its hatchlings parts of an aquatic plant (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, November 2022]

Close-up near-frontal view of a Eurasian Coot feeding its young chick parts of an aquatic plant (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, October 2025]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

eurcoot_dw_20190415.m4a	atra (Poland)	Contact calls?	© DW
eurcoot_jp_20190413.m4a	atra (Portugal)	Contact calls?	© JP
eurcoot_jp_20230126.m4a	atra (Portugal)	Contact calls?	© JP
eurcoot_jp_20230405.m4a	atra (Portugal)	Contact calls?	© JP
eurcoot_jp_20230405_2.m4a	atra (Portugal)	Contact calls?	© JP
eurcoot_jp_20200117.m4a	atra (Portugal)	?	© JP
eurcoot_20200316_5.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Contact calls(?)	© MD
eurcoot_20220504.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Contact calls? (Q&A)	© MD
eurcoot_20161208.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Alarm call	© MD
eurcoot_20151203.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	Alarm calls	© MD
eurcoot_20160725_2.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	Warning calls(?)	© MD
eurcoot_20200316.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Warning calls(?)	© MD
eurcoot_20200316_4.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Mating calls(?)	© MD
eurcoot_20161208_2.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Upset/fighting(?)	© MD
eurcoot_20161104.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	Alarm calls (chick)	© MD
eurcoot_20230318.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	Various (Adult + 2 juveniles)	© MD
eurcoot_20140716.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	? (Immature)	© MD
eurcoot_20230318_2.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	? (2 juveniles)	© MD
eurcoot_20200316_2.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	?	© MD
eurcoot_20200316_3.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	?	© MD

More Eurasian Coot sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.