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Fulica atra


Fulica atra
Photo Information
Copyright: Siegfried Potrykus (neusser0204) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 10 N: 366] (1702)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-02
Categories: Nature
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-28 9:41
Viewed: 158
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Coot breeds across much of the Old World on freshwater lakes and ponds. It is resident in the milder parts of its range, but migrates further south and west from much of Asia in winter as the waters freeze.
at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.The Coot is much less secretive than most of the rail family, and can be seen swimming on open water or walking across waterside grasslands. It is an aggressive species, and strongly territorial during the breeding season.
It is reluctant to fly and when taking off runs across the water surface with much splashing. They do the same, but without actually flying, when travelling a short distance at speed in territorial disputes. As with many rails, its weak flight does not inspire confidence, but on migration, usually at night, it can cover surprisingly large distances. It bobs its head as it swims, and makes short dives from a little jump.
The Coot is 36-42 cm long, and is largely black except for the white facial shield (which gave rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot"). As a swimming species, the Coot has partial webbing on its long strong toes.
The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult black plumage develops when about 3-4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old, some time later.


Male and female Eurasian Coots with nest and three hatchlingsThis species builds a nest of dead reeds and grasses near the water's edge or on underwater obstacles protruding from the water, laying up to 10 eggs, though usually only 3 survive because of the parents brutal behaviour. [1]

Coots can be very brutal to their own young under pressure such as the lack of food. They will bite young that are begging for food and repeatedly do this until it stops begging and starves to death. But if the begging keeps going, then they may even bite so hard that the chick is killed.

The Coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds.
This is a noisy bird with a wide repertoire of crackling, explosive or trumpeting calls, often given at night.
The Eurasian Coot is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
skobek, doropix02, juyona has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

This is a stunning capture Siegfried. The exposure is excellent and tha sharpness superb.

Very well done and thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2514 W: 0 N: 972] (13702)
  • [2008-09-28 11:55]

Hola amigo,
hermosa captura,
excelente pov y foco...
saludos Siegfried

Witaj Siegfried,
łyska to bardzo interesujący ptak wodny, właściwie w Polsce nie widziałem w naturze osobników tego rodzaju. Piękny kolor i niezwykły dziób. Do tego świetne zdjęcie.
Pozdrowienia - Sławek

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