The Australian coot bird, also known as the Australian mud hen or swamp hen, is a medium-sized waterbird found throughout Australia. Scientifically known as Fulica atra, the Australian coot belongs to the family Rallidae which includes rails, crakes and gallinules.
Coots are plump birds with short necks and rounded wings with white markings. They have a black head, body and tail with a distinctive white bill and forehead shield. Their legs and feet are greyish with long toes that help them swim and walk across aquatic vegetation.
Some quick facts about the Australian coot:
– Weighs between 450g to 1kg.
– Length ranges from 38–42 cm.
– Omnivorous, feeding on algae, aquatic plants, seeds, insects and small fish.
– Found in shallow freshwater wetlands across Australia.
– Build large mound nests out of vegetation.
– Aggressive in defending nests and young.
– Male and female look similar.
– Juveniles have paler forehead shield and brownish plumage.
The Australian coot is widespread and abundant across the country, inhabiting both permanent and temporary wetlands. But what exactly are coots and how can we identify them? Let’s find out more about these charismatic waterbirds.
What are coots?
Coots belong to the family Rallidae which includes rails, gallinules and crakes. There are five species of coot worldwide:
– Eurasian Coot found across Europe and Asia
– American Coot in North America
– Hawaiian Coot endemic to Hawaii
– Caribbean Coot in the West Indies
– Australian Coot across Australia and New Zealand
The Australian coot is also known as the Australian swamp hen or mud hen. They got this name from their chicken-like size and preference for wetland habitats.
Coots are most closely related to moorhens and gallinules which all share similar features:
– Plump bodies with short tails and necks
– Rounded wings and short rounded bills
– Large feet adapted to aquatic vegetation
– Mainly black plumage with some white markings
The key characteristics that define coots and distinguish them from other rail family members are:
– White bill and forehead shield
– Lobes on toes help propel swimming
– More dependent on swimming than walking
So in summary, coots are medium-sized, chicken-like waterbirds with black plumage, distinctive white markings and large feet adapted for swimming.
Identification
Identifying the Australian coot is relatively straightforward once you know what to look for. Here are the main identification features:
– Size – averages 38-42cm in length, similar to a chicken.
– Plumage – entirely black except for white bill and forehead shield. Dark grey under tail.
– Bill – thick and white with a dark band towards tip. Forehead shield also white.
– Legs and feet – grey to greenish legs. Large lobed toes.
– Behavior – swims buoyantly, ducking head underwater to feed. Aggressive nest defenders.
The adult coot is unlikely to be confused with any other species due to its dark plumage and distinctive white bill. Juveniles have a paler brown plumage and greyish forehead shield which may cause confusion with young moorhens or native hens. But coot chicks can be separated by their larger size and thicker bill.
In flight, look for broad rounded wings and trailing feet unlike the streamlined herons and egrets. Coots have labored flight with faster wing beats and fly with the neck extended unlike ducks which tuck their heads in.
Coot calls are loud and include guttural croaking, groaning and grunting sounds. They are especially vocal during breeding disputes and when defending territories.
Distribution and habitat
The Australian coot is found across the entire Australian mainland and Tasmania. Isolated populations also occur on offshore islands such as Kangaroo Island.
Coots are widespread across all states and territories of Australia. They occur in diverse wetland habitats including:
– Freshwater lakes, swamps and marshes
– River backwaters, lagoons and billabongs
– Reservoirs, farm dams and ornamental ponds
– Brackish wetlands, mangroves and estuaries
– Modified wetlands like rice crops and sewage ponds
They are absent only from fast flowing upland streams and the driest desert regions.
Australian coots may be migratory, nomadic or sedentary depending on the permanence of water bodies. Populations in ephemeral wetlands in inland Australia make regular long distance migrations to find suitable habitat.
In comparison, coots in permanent east coast wetlands are largely sedentary and occupy the same sites year-round. They may make local movements or dispersions based on water levels and food availability.
State/Territory | Breeding Range |
---|---|
New South Wales | Widespread east of the Great Dividing Range |
Victoria | Throughout, including offshore islands |
Queensland | Widespread except Cape York Peninsula |
South Australia | Throughout |
Western Australia | Northwest, Kimberley and coastal southwest |
Tasmania | Throughout |
Northern Territory | Widespread |
ACT | Scarce breeding visitor |
Australian coots occur in both inland and coastal regions but are most abundant in the fertile Murray-Darling river system. High densities breed in ephemeral wetlands of the ‘boom and bust’ cycles that produce abundant food.
Diet and feeding
The Australian coot is an omnivorous bird with a diverse diet. They feed on a wide range of plant and animal matter found in wetland habitats.
Some of their main food items include:
– Aquatic vegetation – leaves, stems, roots and seeds of plants like rushes, reeds, water lilies and pondweeds.
– Algae – gleaned from the water surface or eaten with mud at the bottom.
– Insects – beetles, flies, moths, bugs, dragonflies and larvae.
– Crustaceans – shrimp, yabbies, crabs and zooplankton.
– Molluscs – snails and mussels.
– Small fish – will eat sick or dying fish.
– Worms and tadpoles.
– Grain crops – will graze on rice and corn plants.
Coots spend much of their time feeding in shallow water near the edge of wetlands. They dabble and probe in soft mud for food, often submerging their head underwater.
Their wide bill is adapted for grasping food items in water and on land. The bill tip has fine lamellae which acts like teeth for gripping slippery prey.
Coots will also graze on land, walking into adjacent grasslands and croplands to feed. They become more terrestrial during droughts when aquatic food is scarce.
Feeding behavior
– Dabbling and probing underwater – submerge head to reach food.
– Grazing on land – walk into grasslands and crops.
– Surface feeding – gather floating material and algae.
– Scavenging – will eat dead fish and animals.
– Night feeding – more active after dark.
– Social feeding – may feed in loose groups.
Breeding and nesting
The breeding season for Australian coots coincides with wetland flooding from spring to summer. Nesting occurs from August to January in the south, and April to September in northern Australia.
Coots are solitary nesters but may occur in loose colonies where habitat is favorable. They build conspicuous nest mounds in open water, attached to emergent vegetation or reed beds.
Nest building is done by both sexes over 1-2 weeks using dead reeds and rushes. The mound raises the eggs above water level and provides protection.
Nests range from 30-90cm wide and 15-50cm high above the water. A cup on top lined with finer material holds the eggs.
Clutch size is 5-10 eggs which are pale buff colored and oval shaped. The female incubates the eggs for around 21-27 days before they hatch.
Both parents share brooding and feeding duties for the precocial chicks. Fledging occurs in 45-55 days as the juveniles are guided to water by their parents.
Coots are aggressive in defending nests and young. Intruders may be met by loud calls, threat displays and direct attacks. Parents will commonly distract predators by feigning injury.
Multiple broods may occur in a single season if conditions allow. Breeding success is higher when wetland food resources are abundant.
Breeding behaviors
– Solitary nesting or loose colonies
– Build large mound nests from vegetation
– Lay 5-10 eggs per clutch
– Share incubation duties
– Defend nests aggressively
– Distraction displays to lure predators
– Chicks fed by both parents
– Multiple broods per season
Description and characteristics
The Australian coot is a distinctive waterbird with the following physical features:
Size: Length 38-42cm, Wingspan 62-72cm
Weight: 450g – 1kg
Plumage: Entirely black except for white facial shield. Dark grey undertail coverts.
Bill: Thick and white with dark band towards tip. Prominent forehead shield.
Legs: Greenish-grey, sometimes with white markings. Large lobed toes.
Eye: Red iris. Stare directly at observers.
Sexes similar in appearance but males are marginally larger on average. Juveniles are dull grey-brown overall with paler forehead shield.
The coot has a plump body shape supported by short legs set far back for efficient swimming. Wings are broad and rounded for slow flight.
Long toes have lobes on the sides that act like oars for propulsion underwater. Coots are more adept at swimming than walking.
Identification tips
– Look for distinctive white bill and shield
– Black plumage with some grey under tail
– Lumbering flight on broad wings
– Large feet great for swimming
Behavior and lifestyle
Australian coots exhibit some interesting behaviors and adaptations for their wetland lifestyle:
– Gregarious when not breeding, may form large flocks.
– Aggressive and territorial during breeding season. Loud fights over mates and nesting sites.
– Comical courtship dances, bowing, preening and nibbling each other.
– Equipped for swimming over walking; clumsy on land with wide waddling gait.
– Dive underwater when disturbed, able to swim short distances submerged.
– Will fly to evade danger but prefer to swim away or hide in reeds. Labored flight.
– Nocturnal tendencies, more active feeding at night.
– Male and females share parental duties and defend chicks fiercely.
– Young chicks ride on parent’s back for warmth initially.
– Bathe frequently, flapping wings and splashing water over back.
– Migratory, nomadic or sedentary based on habitat permanence.
– Gregarious when not breeding. Form large flocks during non-breeding season.
– Aggressive defenders of nests and young. Loud fights against intruders.
The coot lifestyle revolves around their wetland habitat. With dense plumage and specialized lobed toes, they are well adapted to an aquatic existence.
Vocalizations
Australian coots have a range of guttural calls used for communication and territoriality.
Breeding calls:
– Low croaking notes during courtship and copulation.
– Deep hooting made by competing males to attract mates.
– Growling and hissing when defending nest sites.
Alarm/threat calls:
– Loud trumpeting notes when alarmed and taking flight.
– Deep grumbling and grunting at intruders near nest.
– Aggressive shrieking during conflicts over mates or chicks.
Chick calls:
– Soft murmuring notes between parents and young.
– Loud distress calls when separated from parents.
Non-breeding calls:
– Croaking and groaning noises in flocks.
– Contact calls to maintain flock cohesion.
The most intense vocalizations occur during the breeding season when territories and nests are being established. Calls help maintain bonding between mates and chicks.
Status and conservation
The Australian coot has an extensive range and large population across Australia and New Zealand. It is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Estimates put the Australian population at approximately 250,000 to 1 million mature birds. They are generally common and increasing in number, especially in artificial wetlands.
However, coots face some threats from habitat destruction and degradation:
– Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and development.
– Reduced water flows in river systems.
– Salinization and eutrophication of inland lakes.
– Disturbance of nesting colonies.
– Collision with structures during flight.
Conservation actions focus on protecting important wetlands and managing water flows. Providing suitable habitat through dams and regulated wetlands also helps maintain robust populations.
Overall, the adaptable nature of coots makes them resilient to some environmental changes. But habitat loss continues to put pressure on local populations, particularly in intensively farmed or urbanized landscapes.
Cultural importance
Australian coots feature in Aboriginal folklore and mythology. Some examples include:
– Creation stories about ancestral coot figures shaping the landscape.
– Totemic relationships and symbolism related to wisdom, longevity and family.
– Use of coot eggs and meat for food by indigenous tribes.
– Imitation of coot footprints in dance ceremonies.
– Depictions of coots in bark paintings and other artwork.
– Beliefs about the coot’s spiritual connection to water sources.
– Gender-related rituals associated with coot behaviors.
– Tradition of leaving water out for coots during droughts.
The coot’s wide distribution made it culturally significant for many indigenous language groups across Australia.
Coots are also viewed as friendly introductory birds for birdwatchers and photographers. Their bold nature and comic courtship dances provide entertainment around urban wetlands.
Some controversy exists over their nuisance impacts on amenity lakes, although conversion of wetlands has displaced many natural populations.
Significance to wetland ecosystems
As abundant wetland residents, Australian coots play an important ecological role:
– Food source for wetland predators like snakes, birds of prey and large fish.
– Grazing helps manage aquatic vegetation growth.
– Excrement helps fertilize waterbodies.
– Nest mounds provide shelter for other species.
– Sentinel species indicating wetland health. Sensitive to changes in water quality and vegetation.
– Dispersal of seeds and invertebrates between wetlands.
– Indicator and vector of diseases like avian cholera. Can prompt monitoring of outbreaks.
– Cycling of nutrients between land and aquatic habitats.
Their impact is generally positive, although large populations may negatively affect vegetation structure. Overall coots are a natural component of healthy wetland ecosystems across Australia.
Conclusion
In summary, the Australian coot is a fascinating wetland bird perfectly adapted to its aquatic lifestyle. Key points include:
– Medium-sized waterbird found across Australia.
– Identified by white bill and forehead shield on black plumage.
– Feeds on diverse plant and animal matter in shallow wetlands.
– Builds large mound nests from vegetation.
– Defends breeding territories aggressively.
– Swims more readily than walks on land.
– Makes a range of guttural vocalizations.
– Common and resilient, but relies on suitable wetland habitat.
– Culturally significant for indigenous Australians.
– Important role in ecosystem health as prey and grazers.
Coots are a memorable part of Australia’s unique fauna. Their comical courtship rituals and noisy territorial disputes provide endless entertainment at wetlands across the country.