Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra

Family: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots · Status: Very rare vagrant · Size: 40.5–42.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Widespread across Europe, Asia and Australia; northern populations winter south to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Identification

Adult has overall slaty-black plumage and diagnostic all-white bill and frontal shield. Females are generally smaller than males. Juvenile has light-grey to greyish-brown plumage and whitish throat. Distinguished from Common Moorhen by bill colour: Common Moorhen has a red bill with yellow tip instead of a white bill.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands; recorded at Poyan Reservoir.

Behaviour

Usually seen swimming and patters along the water surface when disturbed.