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Australian Coot (nestlings with adults)
Fulica atra australis
-27.4759, 152.979
Field Notes
Description:
The Australian Coot is a subspecies of the Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), and is a member of the rail family Rallidae. Coots are recognised by their snowy white bill and forehead shield. The remainder of the bird is dark sooty grey, except for its bright red eye. Immature birds are generally paler than adults with a white wash on the throat. Nestlings are downy, black with fine yellow tips. The head is orange-red and the bill is red with a cream-white tip. There were several nestlings in this group, and I was delighted to spot them. They are born with their big feet, and that's very handy when you're a waterbird.
Habitat:
In Australia, Coots are common in suitably vegetated lagoons and swamps. Birds are less common in the north and in the drier regions of the country. These birds were spotted by the pond at the Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens in Brisbane QLD.
Notes:
Sorry, but picture quality isn't the best. Poor light and rotten angle, but it was so cool just to watch these little guys for a while.
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