Wednesday 8 January 2014

Wild Bird Wednesday 78 - Eurasian Coot

The Eurasian Coot is a wide spread species;  it's so wide spread that its one of the few species I see in Australia that also occurs naturally in the UK.

With its black / grey plumage and white head shield it's hard to get this mixed up with many other birds.

Good old Fulica atra can often be seen storming about ponds small and large - if ever there was a means of measuring aggression per ounce, I'm sure this bird would win!  As a kid I can remember them running the length of long winter ponds to settle some obscure dispute with a member of its own species!  I think the red eye speaks of a fiery temper.

On sunday I found this rather more relaxed scene as a pair of coots fed their splendidly ugly chicks.  The term "bald as a coot" refers to the white head plate that the adults possess, but I was surprised to find that the chicks are bald as well.  This family seemed very at home in the border waters between the reeds and the open pond.

At some time in the future these Australian coots may become a separate species - not because of some rapid evolutionary change, but because taxonomists already suspect they not be the same species as is found else where - I'll have to wait for the studies to be done before I can get that tick!




Now it's your turn to join in with WBW.  Good number of bloggers had been linking at the end of last year -  but we can always find space for more!  So, invite away and don't forget to link back here!
Click the link and off you!

46 comments:

  1. those chicks are the fugliest little guys! :)

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  2. I love the chicks!!! I know your species is a different coot, but the American Coots have similar traits and near identical chicks!

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  3. I never knew coots have a mean streak. I just know I rarely get close enough to get a good photo of them. ;)

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  4. The little chick is cute with the red face.

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  5. How beautiful to see the mother with her young coot.
    The little ones are so cute.

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  6. So ugly they're cute. Interesting personalities!

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  7. They definately have a more severe look than our Coots. Same coloring but put together differently. Our Coots do fight among themselves when in large groups, but they are generally thought of as clowns more then aggressors. Of course this is the first I have ever heard of the Eurasian Coot and it had to be you that introduced them to me. First new lesson in 2014, so we are off and running again, Stewart. Thanks ...

    Andrea @ From the Sol
    P.S. I grew up on Mince Pie, but now everyone around here eats Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie. But, thanks to you, I now have a taste for Mince Pie and probably won't be able to get any until next November around Thanksgiving. I'll just think of it as not adding to my roundness. :)

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  8. Stewart, these lovely captures look like paintings - beautiful shots of the chicks. I don't think they are ugly at all. :)

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  9. Your photos bring new meaning to the expression "old coot," and I think your coots are spectacular!

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  10. Beautiful shots, Stewart.

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  11. Awe Stewart, I think those little ones are darling ;) I had never learned how aggressive the adults could be with one another though. Beautiful, outstanding images!

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  12. of all the coots I come across in Florida...I've never seen a baby.

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  13. Awesome post. The little bird-kid is so cute!

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  14. heel mooi deze serie van de meerkoet en haar jongen ook mooi uitgelegd.

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  15. I love the little babies:) They are common birds full of character:)

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  16. I didn't know the coots have a mean streak either. I have only seen them swimming quite peacefully with ducks and black swans and seeming to like their company. Enjoyed the humour in your commentary.

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  17. Great photos - the colors and texture in the water are beautiful!

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  18. I can't believe you get the same coots as us all those miles away. From Findlay

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  19. Wonderful photos of the chicks! I can't quite decide if they're ugly or cute.

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  20. Great images - while I see Coot's regularly at Cooby Dam in South-East Queensland, I have never seen their chicks! I think the chicks are rather cute. Wonderful photos and story.

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  21. HI Stewart Great shots of the chicks. I think they must take the prize of the funniest looking chicks that only a mother could love.

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  22. The Coot´s chicks are the ugliest but most charming chick on earth I think. :)

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  23. The Coot chicks are adorable.. Stewart, great sighting and photos!
    Thanks for hosting, have a happy week!

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  24. Hi! Nice captures. They are very cute. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. oh very special photo opportunity Stewart to find the chicks as well; lovely photos

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  26. Those little chicks are so ugly, they're cute!!

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  27. I like the second photo the best. They are looking at each other, just to be sure "you know I am here".

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  28. Fantastic shots, Stewart! Love that piercing red eye! The chicks are cute!

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  29. Marvelous pictures! And who doesn't love baby birds? So sweet!

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  30. Well mean and/or ugly they seem to love B

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  31. What cute (not ugly at all) little chicks! - and a good mom too. :) Thanks for hosting!

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  32. OMW Those are stunning pictures of domestic bliss. I've never heard of aggro water birds (maybe I should get out more, LOL!) Interesting post and beautiful images as usual, Stewart. Greetings Jo

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  33. This is different from Indian coot but beautiful pics... Chicks are too beautiful...

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  34. I've NEVER seen coot (cute??!!) chicks that young!! How cool are they?!?! Happy New Year - look forward to participating more in WBW this year!!

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  35. Love the little ones! Great captures.

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  36. Love those red eyes on the coots. Looks like the American version is the same as this one. Nice shots of the mother with her sweet little chicks. Ugly but sweet! :)

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  37. Such a relaxing and serene scene this must have been. You captured it wonderfully.

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  38. I think the babies are adorable!!!

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  39. It certainly looks the same species as ours Stewart and if it is half as agressive as ours it will be a handful. hope you get a new tick from it.

    Thanks for the hosting again.The list seems to grow each week.

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  40. Really nice photos I like finding water birds. those red eyes look wicked!

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  41. They are kinda cute none the less. Unfortunatelythey surely have a temper!

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  42. Wonderful pictures Stewart. I have just shared some pictures and linked up.

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  43. They ARE so ugly that they are cute,thanks for hosting,this is a new bird for me,phyllis

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