Coot | Hainault Forest

Coot

Fulica atra

TQ4792 02/11/2022 ©Michael Trump

Coots are omnivorous, but mainly feed on plant material. They have a preference for shallow vegetated lakes. They dive to find small invertebrates and usually surface with their catch before eating. This can sometimes leads to squabbles with others over food. Cootlings are tended by both parents and leave the nest after 3 or 4 days. They are totally independent after about 8 weeks. A group of Coots is called a 'cover', or 'covert'.

The Coot does not have webbed feet, however it does have webbed toes. Every toe has a hinged flap that increases the foot’s surface area to provide better propulsion when swimming. When walking the fold-away flaps allow the coot to move more elegantly than if it had webbed feet similar to those of a duck.