Family Rails, Gallinules, Coots (Rallidae)
Least Concern
Common Coot (Fulica atra)
Taxonomy
French: Foulque macroule German: Blässhuhn Spanish: Focha común
Other common names:
Eurasian Coot,
Australian Coot (australis)
Taxonomy:
Fulica atra
Linnaeus
, 1758,Sweden
.
Subspecies and Distribution
F. a. atra
Linnaeus, 1758 – Europe, N Africa, Azores and Canaries E through C Asia to Japan and S to Indian Subcontinent, including Sri Lanka; winters S to W & NE Africa, SE Asia and Philippines.
F. a. lugubris
S. Müller, 1847 – E Java (formerly?) and NW New Guinea.
F. a. novaeguineae
Rand, 1940 – C New Guinea.
F. a. australis
Gould, 1845 – Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Presumably this subspecies recorded regularly in Flores and Timor-Leste (at least one breeding record on latter#R#R).
Descriptive notes
36–39 cm; nominate male 610–1200 (902) g, female 610–1150 (770) g; race australis male 481–660 (568) g, female 476–609 (552) g, unsexed... read more
Voice
Combat call of male a sharp, explosive “pssi”, of female a short, croaking “ai... read more
Habitat
Mainly large, still or slow-moving waters. Inhabits lakes, pools, ponds, reservoirs, barrages,... read more
Food and feeding
Omnivorous, but primarily vegetarian. Eats mainly vegetative parts and seeds of aquatic and sometimes terrestrial plants, including algae... read more
Breeding
Europe, Feb–Sept, mostly Mar–Jul; Azerbaijan, Apr–Jun; N Africa, Mar–Jun; Kashmir and N India, May–Sept; S... read more
Movements
Present all year in warm and temperate regions, although not necessarily resident, but mainly... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Nominate race has expanded range in Europe since late 19th century; marked population fluctuations in many areas due to hard winters... read more
Closely related to F. cristata, F. alai, F. americana, F. leucoptera and F. ardesiaca. Described form langkensis (from Sri Lanka) included in nominate race; anggiensis (from Arfak Mts, in NW New Guinea) regarded as a synonym of lugubris. Four subspecies recognized.