The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) is an unmistakable, entirely sooty-black waterbird, its white forehead shield and matching white bill standing out clearly against the dark plumage even at distance. Up close the eyes are bright red, and the greenish legs end in lobed rather than webbed toes, distinguishing it from ducks sharing the same waters. Round and compact at 36-42 cm long, it nods its head rhythmically with each stroke as it swims across open water.
Coots are noisy birds, giving a sharp "keck" and repeated clicking "kek-kek-kek" calls, and an explosive, carrying splutter when disturbed near the nest, audible day and night through the May-July breeding season. They are widespread across Sweden except the mountain regions, most numerous on nutrient-rich lakes, marshes and ponds in the south and centre of the country, and have become one of the most urban of all Swedish wetland birds, common on ornamental park ponds. Migration is variable: Swedish and other northern European breeders move to ice-free coastal waters and lakes in north-west Europe for winter, while birds from western and south-western Europe are largely resident, and the Swedish breeders return in April-May once the ice clears. Coots feed mainly on aquatic plants and algae, supplemented with small invertebrates that are especially important for the chicks. The nest is a floating platform of reed stems and water plants anchored to living reeds at the water's edge, holding 6-10 eggs incubated by both parents for 21-24 days; a second brood is possible if conditions are good. With around 42,000 pairs in 2018 and an increase of roughly 68 percent over the previous decade, the population is secure and growing.
Read about this species in Swedish →