Red-knobbed Coot
A species of Coots, Also known as African Coot Scientific name : Fulica cristata Genus : Coots
Red-knobbed Coot, A species of Coots
Also known as:
African Coot
Botanical name: Fulica cristata
Genus: Coots
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Description
The red-knobbed coot is largely black except for the white frontal shield. It is 38–45 cm (15–18 in) long, spans 75–85 cm (30–33 in) across the wings and weighs 585–1,085 g (1.290–2.392 lb). As a swimming species, it has partial webbing on its long strong toes. The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult's black plumage develops when about 3–4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old, some time later. A good view is necessary to separate this species from the Eurasian coot, with which its range overlaps. There are two tiny red knobs at the top of the facial shield, which are not visible at any great distance and are only present in the breeding season; the black feathering between the shield and the bill is rounded, whereas in Eurasian it comes to a point; and the bill has a bluish grey tinge. In flight, the red-knobbed coot lacks the white trailing edge to the secondaries of the Eurasian coot. 
Size
42 cm
Nest Placement
Floating
Feeding Habits
Red-knobbed Coot consumes a varied diet of aquatic vegetation, algae, and water plants, as well as molluscs, crustaceans, insects, and occasionally carrion. Feeding behaviors include diving for underwater plants and grazing near water, showcasing adaptations like a shearing bill edge for grazing. Primarily feeds in water, rarely on land.
Habitat
Red-knobbed Coot is primarily found in open freshwater environments like lagoons, ponds, and both permanent and temporary dams, favoring areas with still water. Its habitat includes wetlands such as reed swamps and papyrus as well as sewage ponds. Red-knobbed Coot is also encountered on floodplains and occasionally in tidal lagoons. Preferring regions with fringing or emergent vegetation for breeding, red-knobbed Coot is versatile and can inhabit completely open waters when not nesting. Its dietary needs are met by submerged aquatic vegetation.
Dite type
Omnivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
The habits of the red-knobbed coot are practically identical to those of the Eurasian coot. It is much less secretive than most of the rail family. Where it is undisturbed it is likely to bully any intruder, even large birds such as Egyptian geese, if they do not defy its challenges. It can be seen swimming on open water or walking across waterside grasslands. It is an aggressive species, and strongly territorial during the breeding season. The red-knobbed coot is reluctant to fly and when taking off runs across the water surface with much splashing. It does the same, but without actually flying, when travelling a short distance at speed (to escape a rival, for example, or to dispute possession of a choice morsel). It bobs its head as it swims, and makes short dives from a little jump. The red-knobbed coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds. Its main food in most waters however comprises various waterweeds such as species of Potamogeton for which it commonly dives. This is a noisy bird during mating, but its vocalisations are quite different from the Eurasian coot. It gives a fast kerrre like the little crake, a harsh ka-haa and a grunting hoot "oot oot" that suggests that the name "coot" might be onomatopoeia, but inspection of the etymology of "coot" fairly decisively negates any such suggestion.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
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