Coot  (Fulica atra)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Widespread and common throughout Britain, but absent from hilly areas and most parts of northern and western Scotland (7). Elsewhere, it is found in Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, through Eurasia, reaching as far east as the Pacific coast of China and Japan. It is also found in Australasia, south-east Asia, and India (8).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Found in most shallow, still or slow-moving freshwater habitats including ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, gravel pits and reservoirs (7).

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