Birds
Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra · also called common coot
Gliding across a winter lake in the company of dozens of others, a Eurasian coot displays the bright white forehead shield that gave rise to a saying still used centuries later, a bird spread across more continents than almost any other waterbird.
Overview
The Eurasian coot, Fulica atra, is a widespread waterbird native to wetland habitat across an enormous range spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Its bright white frontal shield that inspired a lasting figure of speech, lobed-toe swimming adaptation, and tendency to form large winter flocks make it one of the most culturally memorable and geographically successful waterbirds in the world.
A face that became a phrase
Few birds have left as lasting a linguistic mark as the Eurasian coot, whose stark white forehead shield became so recognisable that it worked its way into everyday language as shorthand for baldness, centuries before most speakers ever gave the bird itself a second thought.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and abundant across suitable wetland habitat throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Eurasian Coot: common questions
Where does the phrase "as bald as a coot" come from?
This species has a bright white, featherless shield of skin extending from the base of the bill up the forehead, a striking and unmistakable feature that inspired the long-standing phrase "as bald as a coot" used to describe someone with no hair.
How widespread is the Eurasian coot?
This species has an unusually broad native range spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, making it one of the more widely distributed waterbirds in the world, found across an enormous variety of wetland habitats within that range.
Does the Eurasian coot form flocks?
Yes, this species forms large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes gathering in considerable numbers on lakes and reservoirs during the winter months, a marked contrast to its more solitary, territorial behaviour during the breeding season.
How does the Eurasian coot swim so effectively?
This species has distinctive lobed toes rather than fully webbed feet, an adaptation that still provides effective propulsion for swimming and diving while also working well for walking across muddy shorelines and floating vegetation.