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Eurasian CootAlternate name(s): "Australian Coot", "Toorie" ![]() Size: 35-38 cm Weight: 585-1100 g |
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Similar species |
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Photos |
Race "australis"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Frontal view of a male Eurasian Coot; the broad facial shield
identifies this bird as a male
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, May 2013]
This male Eurasian Coot is puffing up its wings and plumage to impress
the competition by making itself appear to be bigger
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]
Lateral view of a male Eurasian Coot on a lake
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, May 2013]
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FEMALE |
Frontal view of a female Eurasian Coot (note the narrow facial shield),
with in the background a
Dusky Moorhen feeding
on parts of underwater plants (photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2014]
Near-lateral view of a female Eurasian Coot, with a close-up
on its feet with partially webbed toes
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Raymond Island, Paynesville, VIC, April 2018]
Eurasian Coot seen when just finished preening
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]
Dorsal view of an Eurasian Coot, screaming an alarm
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2010]
Flock of Eurasian coots in shallow water
[Wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, July 2009; see credits page for details]
Eurasian Coots making a splash
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, January 2009]
Eurasian Coots caught in the act...
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]
Direct size comparison between a Dusky Moorhen, left, and an
Eurasian Coot, right (photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Gold Coast, QLD, June 2014]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Juvenile Eurasian Coot; note the greyish throat, by which the
bird can be identified
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]
In Narrabri by about November the Eurasian Coot chicks start
moving around without adult supervision; here one close to an
Australasian Grebe
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]
Three Eurasian Coot chicks, one of which is preening
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]
Frontal view of an Eurasian Coot chick on lily pads
[Mudgee, NSW, December 2015]
Male(?) Eurasian Coot with chicks out on the water; two are being fed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]
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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.
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "malunna" = 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.
Eurasian Coot nest with 7 eggs inside (photo courtesy
of D. Johnston)
[Near Baradine, NSW, 1980ies]
Eurasian Coot nest on a suburban
lake (photo courtesy
of J. Greaves)
[East Perth, WA, December 2014]
Eurasian Coot nest with four chicks
Here two youngsters that have probably temporarily returned to
their nest
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 52 x 35 mm | Colour: Light-brown, with sparse mid-brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
Closer look at 7 eggs inside an 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]
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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.
Eurasian Coot going for a dive
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2010]
It never fails to amaze us when realizing that even aquatic birds that spend most of their lives on water need to bathe...
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 this water 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]
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Food, Diet |
To the best of our knowledge Eurasian Coots feed on aquatic plants, but also on small animals.
Male Eurasian Coot feeding on algae
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]
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]
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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_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_20161208_2.m4a |
australis (NW NSW) |
Upset/fighting(?) | © MD | |
eurcoot_20161208_2.mp3 |
australis (NW NSW) |
? (Immature) | © MD | |
eurcoot_20140716.mp3 |
australis (NW NSW) |
? (Immature) | © MD | |
eurcoot_20161104.mp3 |
australis (NW NSW) |
Alarm calls (chick) | © MD | |
eurcoot_20140716_2.mp3 |
australis (NW NSW) |
? | © MD | |
eurcoot_20140716_3.mp3 |
australis (NW NSW) |
? | © MD |