Although I saw Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) a few times when I was in Brussels, Belgium this week, I was especially thrilled to spot this juvenile coot interacting with one of its parents. The color pattern on the juvenile is quite different from the adult’s, but the shape of their bills definitely shows that they are both coots.
Eurasian Coots are similar in appearance to the American Coots (Fulica americana) that I am used to seeing, though it appears to me that the white frontal shield on the “forehead” of the coot seems more prominent on the Eurasian species.
As I was thinking about the word “coot,” I realized that most people use the word only in the expression “old coot.” It made me wonder why coots are associated with a somewhat disparaging term for older men. According to an article in the Hartford Courant newspaper, “If you’ve ever seen a coot — an ungainly marsh bird that bobs its head like a hen as it swims or walks — you can see why “coot” came to denote, by the 1700’s, “a harmless, simple person,” as in “an old coot.””
I love when I have the chance to photograph the interaction between two species or two members of the same species. In this case, the eye contact and body positions tell a story that scarcely requires words.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Fun title, wonderful photo and observations, Mike.
Great photo and I learned something new, never knew there was a bird called a coot. 🙂
Great capture of the parent-child interaction, Mike! I was familiar with the old coot phrase way before I knew that it was a bird. You made me smile that our former home town newspaper would explore terms for old timers.
Very nice picture, Mike.
Nice Mike! I have never seen a juvenile coot before!
Benjamin laughed at the name coot and said : “That is a funny name.” He carefully examined the enlarged photo and asked : “Will the little coot’s eyes turn red like the big coot?” Good question, but I don’t know the answer was my response. Benjamin replied : “Mr. Mike knows, ask him.” Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Eventually the eye color and the color of the feathers will change and the young one will look like the adult.
Benjamin said : “Mr. Mike knows everything or can find out.” It appears that he is correct!
I am very curious by nature and I like to look things up. When I was young, I relied on encyclopedias, but it is so much easier now to use the internet. I really enjoy seeing the way Benjamin asks questions about what he sees and he sure seems to be a voracious learner, always striving to know more. I try to be like that too. 🙂
[…] Mike Powell recently posted a photo of a Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) parent and juvenile at Old coot, young coot and he has multiple posts that feature the American Coot (Fulica americana). I particularly enjoyed […]