Geographic variation: The fresh new Australian coot (Fulica atra australis) out of Australia, The latest Guinea and you may The fresh Zealand is actually a great subspecies of one’s Eurasian coot, that’s prevalent when you look at the European countries, North Africa and Asia.
- Species Pointers
- Reproduction and you may environment
The new Australian coot was a sensible, dark-grey, duck-instance waterbird, quickly recognisable from the bright white bill and you will frontal shield. Coots are regarding gallinules – the brand new department of the railway family detailed with pukeko and you can takahe. Outside of the water, good coot’s stance is far more such as a little pukeko than simply an effective duck. But instead of your own pukeko’s enough time slim feet, coots features broad fleshy lobes on their small feet, accustomed provide propulsion when swimming. This new Australian coot is actually a recent arrival into the The fresh Zealand, earliest submitted breeding here in 1958. The colonisation partially fulfills the subject left unused by extinction of the The new Zealand coot, that was extensive before the arrival out-of Maori.
Adult Australian coots are entirely slate-grey with a light bill and you may front secure. He has yellow vision and enormous gray ft which have lobed toes. Juvenile and you will kids birds have duller and you can paler colouring, with a few soft gray on mouth and you may mouth area. Continue reading Each other genders incubate the fresh new egg for around twenty two weeks, and you may old more youthful let provide and you will increase the the new youngsters