Coot

Description

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra),also known as the common coot,is a member of the rail and crake bird family,the Rallidae.The scientific name is from Latin;Fulica is "coot",and atra is "black".It is found in Europe,Asia,Australia and parts of Africa.The Australian subspecies is known as the Australian coot.The Eurasian coot is 32–42 cm (13–17 in) long and weighs 585–1,100 g (1.290–2.425 lb),and is largely black except for the white frontal shield (which gave rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot",in use as early as 1430).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.This is a noisy bird with a wide repertoire of crackling,explosive,or trumpeting calls,often given at night.