|
|
|
Coot
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I took this photo in Lagoa dos Salgados near of Albufeira in Algarve.
Coot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra, also known as Coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. The Australian subspecies is known as the Australian Coot.
Distribution
The Coot breeds across much of the Old World on freshwater lakes and ponds. It occurs and breeds in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The species has recently expanded its range into New Zealand. 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.
Description
Adult feeding juvenile in an Indian Lotus Nelumbo nucifera pond in Hyderabad, India
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", which the Oxford English Dictionary cites 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.
Behaviour
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, and both parents are involved in territorial defence. During the non-breeding season they may form large flocks, possibly related to predator avoidance.
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.
Breeding
This species builds a nest of dead reeds or grasses, but also pieces of paper or plastic near the water's edge or on underwater obstacles protruding from the water, laying up to 10 eggs, sometimes 2 or 3 times per season. Usually only a few young survive. They are frequent prey for birds such as herons and gulls.
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.
Diet
The Coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds, as well as algae, vegetation, seeds and fruit.It shows considerable variation in its feeding techniques, grazing on land or in the water. In the water it may upend in the fashion of a Mallard or dive in search of food.
Status
The Eurasian Coot is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. |
lousat, Gert-Paassen, Noisette, boreocypriensis, nglen, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
Publicas poco pero cuando lo haces presentas buenos trabajos como este. Valoraría sobre todo en esta toma la naturalidad en la luz y en los colores, lo que denota muy poca o nula manipulación. Precioso trabajo.
Saludos Jose: Jose Ignacio
- lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(19673) - [2009-08-19 9:27]
-
Hi Jose,very very nice pic...impresive sharpness and beautiful bird in a water.A very professional work,my best compliments for the note too,have a nice day,LUCIANO
-
- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3825 W: 190 N: 11396]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(35111) - [2009-08-19 10:14]
-
Hello José,
A very nice capture of a Coot taken from a good POV with fine sharpness and lighting in a nice composition that includes fine water movement.
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan
-
- joska
(5550)
- [2009-08-19 10:55]
-
Very good shot with good details and naturel colors!
Hi Jose,
an nice shot from this bird.
Good pov, details and pov.
Fine colours.
Gert
Hello Jose
we have also coots in our lake, but they are very shy and always too far from the edge so i was neverable to take a good shot but yours is excellent, they are so many great details on the bird and the composition superb
I like also the colors and the mouvment of the water
Have a good night
Jacqueline
-
- siggi
(16394)
- [2009-08-20 0:24]
-
Hello Jose,
A nice image of the eurasian coot and of its movement in the water, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards Siggi
Ciao Jose. Amazing diagonal view and interesting 3D effect on the water. TFS.
Roberto
Hi Jose, wonderfu capture of a cute coot from frontal POV with excellent lighting, details, great DOF and fine composition.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram
-
- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(32266) - [2009-08-20 11:21]
-
Hi Jose. A good close up of the Coot heading towards you. We can see the white of the head and bill with this POV. You have good detail and natural colours. with the red of the eye just showing well done TF.
Nick..
Hi Jose,
The reflections on the water are assets to the composition. The point of view is allowing us to see the details and colors of the coot. It is clear and sharp. The light is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.
Pierre
