Saturday 19 November 2011

Eurasian Coot

Another bird that I was really quite fascinated with in Tasmania recently was the rather ubiquitous Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)






They have such weird feet







That let them do this:



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22 comments:

  1. Lisa@ButteryBooks20 November 2011 at 00:49

    Those are some huge feet! Great photo of him (or her) walking across the water.

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  2. Jill Buck20 November 2011 at 00:52

    What a unique bird!

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  3. Laurel-Rain Snow20 November 2011 at 01:42

    OMG! I've never seen feet like those on a bird! And the name Coot...makes me giggle.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT and
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  4. Lisa20 November 2011 at 01:57

    It looks like they stepped on something and it stuck to their feet! Great pictures!

    Here's my Snapshot

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  5. bermudaonion20 November 2011 at 02:40

    I can see why you were fascinated - those are very strange feet.

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  6. Stephen20 November 2011 at 02:44

    Looks fun to watch them plowing through the water in that last shot. I wonder what kind of food they eat, given that beak. Seems like it's the strong kind fit for breaking open nuts and so on.

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  7. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)20 November 2011 at 02:49

    I always enjoy seeing your birds... they are so different from what I find in the Midwestern USA.

    That snowy white bill is very distinctive. I'm always amazed at the way birds evolve their feather colors and wonder what advantage a white bill would have. That Coot looks much more comfortable in the water than on the land!

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  8. Sheila (Bookjourney)20 November 2011 at 03:32

    Oh! I love the feet!

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  9. Alyce20 November 2011 at 03:55

    That last photo looks so comical - makes me wonder what they look like at full speed!

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  10. Unknown20 November 2011 at 05:44

    What a fascinating bird! I didn't notice the feet at first because I was so taken with his beautiful black body contrasted by the pure white spot leading to the beak - it gives this bird such an interesting look.

    But those feet are something else! The photo where he looks like he's walking made me thinking of the Monty Python sketch "The Ministry of Silly Walks".
    Thank you for the photo in the water that shows what this bird's funny feet help him do!

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  11. Irene20 November 2011 at 06:11

    truly unique.

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  12. edgar20 November 2011 at 06:28

    Interesting.
    If birds can walk and even run on water, can man be far behind?

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  13. Kath Lockett20 November 2011 at 06:46

    There are coots here in Geneva, too. I wonder why old people are called 'coots' though?

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  14. Peppermint Ph.D.20 November 2011 at 07:09

    I love the name "coots" and the shot of the Coot running across the water with his ski/paddle like feet!!

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  15. Kaye20 November 2011 at 07:32

    These are great shots! Their feet look too big for their bodies.

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  16. Anonymous20 November 2011 at 08:12

    Great lookin feet, and useful too. Must love what evolution comes up with :-)

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  17. Vicki20 November 2011 at 08:35

    Great shots!! I love watching birds swoop down to catch fish!
    Here's My Photo

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  18. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea20 November 2011 at 08:40

    i enjoying seeing photos of birds that I will probably never witness first hand. Thanks so much ...big feet LOL

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  19. Cipriano20 November 2011 at 09:14

    Wow, those are the most strangest birdfeet I have ever seen! And yet, that old coot is adorable!

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  20. Lady In Read20 November 2011 at 11:23

    thanks for sharing all these unique birds with us.. the last photo is especially nice

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  21. Stacy at The Novel Life20 November 2011 at 13:41

    great pictures! the Eurasian Coot almost looks like a cross between a penguin and a vulture - i've never heard of it either - but it's a really cool looking bird

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  22. Paulita 20 November 2011 at 23:13

    That's very cool that they can run across the water. And visiting Tasmania is sweet too.

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Thank you for commenting.