EURASIAN COOT

EURASIAN COOT (fulica atra) – (See images below)
The Eurasian Coot is very similar in appearance to the Hawaiian coot and the American coot. It is black with a white ‘shield’ on the front, a feature typical of the coots and moorhens. These birds have the strong legs of hens but also partially webbed feet, which allow them to swim with ease in addition to walking and running on the ground. Coots are omnivorous and dive in shallow water for plant material or insects.  The Eurasian coot is a little longer than 12 inches. The tail is very short. The bird can be noisy, mainly at night. It is widespread and breeds across much of the Old World.
Tanzania is part of the Eurasian coot’s wintering grounds.

Eurasian coot, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Eurasian coot on Shinobazu Pond, Japan

Eurasian coot foraging, Ueno Park, Japan

Eurasian coot with White-faced whistling ducks

This video below shows Eurasian Coots, Black-tailed Gulls and Tufted Ducks swimming toward the edge of the Shinobazu Pond in the large Ueno Park, located in the middle of Tokyo, Japan.