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EURASIAN COOT


EURASIAN COOT
Photo Information
Copyright: Marius Secan (marius-secan) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 203 W: 0 N: 463] (1575)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-23
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-18 8:26
Viewed: 185
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
EURASIAN COOT (FULICA ATRA)

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.

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.

he 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.

he 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.

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.

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.
nglen, roges, cloud, horias, Argus, marianas, tuslaw, nasokoun, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2912 W: 34 N: 8640] (32202)
  • [2009-10-18 8:30]

Hi Marius. This is a very clear andcolourful close up of this Coot . You have taken it with fine detai lin the dark feathers. The white warking on the face shows up well. Taken with natural colours. I like the pose with its head turned to one side. Well taken TFS.
Nick.

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 609 W: 0 N: 541] (3164)
  • [2009-10-18 8:36]

Sa traiasca !
Inca o captura splendida. Exceptionale detalii si claritate, felicitari.
O seara frumoasa,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 71 N: 758] (4689)
  • [2009-10-18 9:22]

Hello Marius,
This species is known for me only from photos and wild nature films. Exact sharpness, feathers are visible very well. The green water plants add charm to it.
Regards, Pawel

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2009-10-18 9:22]

Hello Marius,
The same bird as I posted yesterday. Great pose, frontal POV and eye contact. Very beautiful colours and environment. Good sharpness and details. Excellent composition.
Regards,
Peter

Marius
O "negruta"reusita!
Foarte clare detalii, culori placute!
Felicitari!
Horia

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3821 W: 190 N: 11376] (35063)
  • [2009-10-18 9:57]

Hello Marius,
An excellent portrait of a Eurasian Coot standing in the water, taken from a great low POV with fine sharpness and lighting in a pleasing composition with its reedy habitat.
Thanks and have a good week,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 472 W: 99 N: 624] (3215)
  • [2009-10-18 10:01]

Hi Marius
Coot is possibly the most difficult bird species to taken picture of
in this picture the dark feathers are just perfectly exposed with a lot of details and the white bill and shield not completely overexposed, difficult to manage but great result here
nice compo too
tfs
tom

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2997 W: 162 N: 968] (2839)
  • [2009-10-18 10:20]

Hello Marius,
A really lovely view of this Coot in a beautiful natural environment. I like its pose and the shiny plumage! Great sharpness, beautiful light and colours and a very fine composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Marius
Din nou o pasare perfect capturata.
Culori naturale, detalii frumoase,de zile mari!
Mariana

Hello Marius,

A beautiful close-up with nice natural coloration, sharpness & details. Great POV, pose & BG.

Well done & TFS.

Regards

Umar

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1392] (4861)
  • [2009-10-18 18:12]

Outstanding shot Marius!!
Love the wonderful detail and the natural colors you managed to capture. Excellently composed in it's home environment with perfect exposure!!
Ron

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
  • [2009-10-18 21:59]

Hi Marius,
I really like this coot in his natural habitat.
Great marshy BG.
Good lighting on the black plumage, showing all the grades of black on the feathers.
Nice pose of the bird.
TFS. : )

hello Marius
the composition with the environment is very beautiful, exceptional details and colours a very good output!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

A very beautiful shot!i love the way you have the entire frame in shap focus!
Very well done, Marius!
Bravo!
Goldy

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