1. Eurasian coot – Fulica atra
Eurasian coot is a small waterfowl with a body length of 36-42 cm, a wingspan of 70-80 cm, and a weight of 0.6-1.2 kg. In an adult, the plumage of the upper body is dark-gray, the bottom of the body is white, there is a characteristic bang on the head. The Eurasian coot has a short, strong beak and long, thin legs.
The Eurasian coot is common in Europe, Asia and Africa. In Ukraine, it nests throughout the territory, except for the Crimea.
Eurasian coot is a migratory bird. It winters in Africa, South Asia and Australia. Eurasian coot nests in shallow water, among reeds or other coastal vegetation. It builds its nests on the ground, in a small pit. There are 5-12 eggs in the Eurasian coot's clutch. The eggs are incubated by the female and the male in turn. Chicks hatch after 28-30 days. After hatching, the chicks grow quickly and begin to fly after a few weeks.
Eurasian coot feeds on plant and animal food. It eats grains, grass, roots, and small animals such as fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and insects.
The Eurasian coot is a fairly common species, but in some regions its numbers are declining. The reasons for this are pollution of water bodies, destruction of coastal plants and poaching.
In Ukraine, the Eurasian coot was listed in the Red Book in the status of "Invaluable".
Photo: Volodymyr Kucherenko