Fulica – Coots
Small coots might look like moorhens bobbing their heads or ducks just chilling in the water
Coots are waterbirds with dark plumage, prominent beaks, and short rounded feathers. They splatter and walk across the water to have fun or signal an enemy to stay away. The small wings are adapted to fly; however some species are not efficient in taking off but once in the air, they’re nothing less than efficient flyers. The feet are specifically designed (lobed membrane) to help them swim and walk on vegetation dispersed in water.
They prefer to migrate long distances during the dark of the night to avoid predators. The clutch size in some species might lead up to 10 eggs, but unfortunately, only a few chicks make it to the end.
Species in this genus
Eurasian coot
Like those bulging red eyes weren’t scary enough, they eat their innocent chicks when hungry