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Birds > Gruiformes > Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

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It is a water bird of the family Rallidae commonly occurring in Poland. Its body mass is about 1 kilogram, with a wingspan of approximately 70 cm. After the breeding season it is often seen in large flocks, attracting the attention of eagles, whose favorite food, next to fish and carrion, it is. It likes standing waters with reed beds, where it can quickly hide in case of danger.
Last minute news 09/2013
Going out for a photography session to a fish pond I hoped to take beautiful, anatomical photos of Eurasian Coots, Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards. And yet again, the plans stayed just plans, but in front of the lenses appeared Grebes and Swans. Eurasian Coots finally appeared at a satisfying distance, but it was not that morning light, and the effect was not as good as it could be. The Eurasian Coot, like all apparently raven black birds, are quite difficult to photograph. The best way to do it is to take photos in a quite intense, but even and subdued light. Thus you’ll be able to present the bird properly and faithfully. Just like I managed to do it with the Rook, in a park last Autumn. Against fallen leaves and green grass you can clearly see the whole feathering structure of the Rook. It is not raven black at all. I believe, a similar situation will be with the Eurasian Coot, but I’m still waiting for this moment, where I will be able to take a subdued, but warm in colors photo. As you can see, there’s some progress, but not as much as I would wish, especially that it’s such a common bird.
Last minute news  04/2016
While photographing red-necked grebe I took also a few photos of the Eurasian coot, which was feeding nearby. New pictures have refreshed current appearance of my gallery.
Last minute news  04/2017
There is an unexpected change of the photos in the gallery. And all that because of the coot, which was escaping  the male courtship, chose a strategy of approaching me to keep the male away. I was shooting black-necked grebes when lying exposed on the edge of a small pond. The coot (probably female) was often coming up to me at the distance of less than two meters. The male pretty possessive and aggressive was not so brave and kept a distance of several meters. I could watch it beautifully spreading its wings in mating courtship. Finally, in the morning light, my best pictures of the coots were created, showing the whole charm of this bird. The gallery has gone unrecognizable and goes to the news.
Last minute news- 05/2020
I added a few photos of Common coots, which I  took from the shelter, while I was waiting for Godwall.
Last minute news- 06/2022
Last minute news- 04/2023

Many times in spring I have observed mating squabbles in flocks of Coots. Taking photographs is a different matter altogether. This time I managed to take some of these dynamic shots of the coots, while observing great Great Crested Grebes. Unfortunately, the birds were very unpredictable, moving quickly and almost always being too far away during their quarrels to take very good pictures. Nevertheless, there were quite a few new dynamic shots, the gallery has been rebuilt and goes into the news.