LC
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
AERC TAC. 2003. AERC TAC Checklist of bird taxa occurring in Western Palearctic region, 15th Draft. Available at: http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/Bird_taxa_of_the_WP15.xls.
Christidis, L. and Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia.
Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L. (eds). 1977-1994. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The birds of the western Palearctic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Turbott, E.G. 1990. Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand. Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Wellington.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2019 Least Concern
2016 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2004 Least Concern
2000 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type Average mass 531 g
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 152,000,000 km2 medium
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 174,000,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 5300000-6500000 mature individuals poor estimated 2016
Population trend increasing - suspected -
Generation length 7 years - - -

Population justification: The global population is estimated to number c.7,950,000-9,750,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2016). This roughly equates to 5,300,000-6,500,000 mature individuals. The European population is estimated at 945,000-1,550,000 pairs, which equates to 1,890,000-3,090,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015).

Trend justification: The overall population trend is increasing, although some populations are decreasing, stable, fluctuating or have unknown trends (Wetlands International 2016). In Europe, the population size is estimated to be decreasing and, although there is high uncertainty in the reported trends, the rate of decline is likely to approach 30% in 21 years (three generations) (BirdLife International 2015).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Afghanistan extant native yes
Albania extant native yes
Algeria extant native
Armenia extant native yes
Australia extant native yes
Austria extant native yes
Azerbaijan extant native yes yes
Bahrain extant native yes
Bangladesh extant native yes
Belarus extant native yes
Belgium extant native yes
Bhutan extant native
Bosnia and Herzegovina extant native yes
Brunei extant vagrant
Bulgaria extant native yes
Burkina Faso extant native
Cambodia extant native
Canada extant vagrant
Chad extant native
China (mainland) extant native yes yes
Croatia extant native yes
Cyprus extant native yes
Czechia extant native yes
Denmark extant native yes yes
Djibouti extant vagrant
Egypt extant native yes yes
Estonia extant native yes yes
Ethiopia extant native
Faroe Islands (to Denmark) extant native yes
Finland extant native yes yes
France extant native yes yes
Georgia extant native yes
Germany extant native yes yes
Gibraltar (to UK) extant vagrant
Greece extant native yes yes
Greenland (to Denmark) extant vagrant
Guam (to USA) extant vagrant
Hong Kong (China) extant native yes
Hungary extant native yes
Iceland extant native
India extant native yes
Indonesia extant native yes
Iran, Islamic Republic of extant native yes
Iraq extant native yes yes
Ireland extant native yes yes
Israel extant native yes yes
Italy extant native yes
Japan extant native yes yes
Jordan extant native yes yes
Kazakhstan extant native yes
Kuwait extant native yes yes
Kyrgyzstan extant native yes
Laos extant native yes
Latvia extant native yes
Lebanon extant native yes yes
Libya extant native yes
Liechtenstein extant native yes
Lithuania extant native yes yes
Luxembourg extant native yes
Malaysia extant native yes
Maldives extant vagrant
Mali extant native yes
Malta extant native yes
Mauritania extant native yes
Moldova extant native yes
Mongolia extant native yes
Montenegro extant native yes
Morocco extant native yes
Myanmar extant native yes
Nepal extant native yes
Netherlands extant native yes
New Zealand extant native yes
Niger extant native yes
Nigeria extant native yes
North Korea extant native yes
North Macedonia extant native yes
Northern Mariana Islands (to USA) extant native
Norway extant native yes
Oman extant native yes
Pakistan extant native yes
Palestine extant native yes
Philippines extant native yes
Poland extant native yes yes
Portugal extant native yes
Qatar extant native yes
Romania extant native yes yes
Russia extant native yes yes yes
Russia (Asian) extant native yes
Russia (Central Asian) extant native yes yes
Russia (European) extant native yes yes
Saudi Arabia extant native yes
Senegal extant native yes
Serbia extant native yes
Singapore extant native yes
Slovakia extant native yes yes
Slovenia extant native yes yes
South Korea extant native yes
Spain extant native yes
Sri Lanka extant native yes
Sudan extant native yes
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway) extant vagrant
Sweden extant native yes yes
Switzerland extant native yes
Syria extant native yes
Taiwan, China extant native yes
Tajikistan extant native yes
Thailand extant native yes
Timor-Leste extant native yes
Tunisia extant native yes
Türkiye extant native yes yes
Turkmenistan extant native yes
Ukraine extant native yes yes
United Arab Emirates extant native yes
United Kingdom extant native yes
USA extant vagrant
Uzbekistan extant native yes
Vietnam extant native yes
Western Sahara extant native yes
Yemen extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Afghanistan Hamun-i-Puzak
Albania Lake Ohrid and surrounding area
Albania Narta Lagoon
Australia Lake Sylvester System
Azerbaijan Absheron archipelago (north) and Pirallahi bay
Azerbaijan Aggyol
Azerbaijan Gizilagach
Azerbaijan Lake Sarysu
Azerbaijan Sahil settlement - Shelf factory
Azerbaijan Sangachal Bay
Azerbaijan Shahdidi spit
Azerbaijan Yashma Island
Bangladesh Aila Beel
Bangladesh Hakaluki Haor
Bangladesh Tanguar Haor and Panabeel
Bosnia and Herzegovina Livno karst field and Busko lake
China (mainland) Bayanbulak and Kaidu River Valley
China (mainland) Cang Shan Er Hai Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Cao Hai Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Dali Nur Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Ulansuhai Nur Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Xijin Reservoir
China (mainland) Xilin Gol Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve
Denmark Roskilde Fjord, Selsø and Kattinge Søerne
Denmark Smålandsfarvandet
Denmark Sydfynske Ø-hav
Estonia Väinameri
France Camargue
France Lac de Grand-Lieu
Germany Brodtener Ufer
Germany Chiemsee and Chiemseemoore
Germany Greifswalder Bodden
Germany Konstanzer Bucht of Lake Constance
Germany Neustädter Bucht
Germany Untersee of Lake Constance
Germany Wismar bay and Salzhaff
Greece Amvrakikos gulf
Greece Porto Lagos, lake Vistonida and coastal lagoons
Hungary Lake Kis-Balaton
India Bhoj wetland
India Jaisamand Lake and Wildlife Sanctuary
Iran, Islamic Republic of Amirkelayeh lake
Iran, Islamic Republic of Anzali Mordab complex
Iran, Islamic Republic of Arjan Protected Area
Iran, Islamic Republic of Gomishan marshes and Turkoman steppes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Horeh Bamdej
Iran, Islamic Republic of Izeh and Sheikho lakes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Alagol, Lake Ulmagol and Lake Ajigol
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Bakhtegan, Lake Tashk and Kamjan marshes
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lake Kobi
Iran, Islamic Republic of Miankaleh Peninsula and Gorgan Bay
Iran, Islamic Republic of Seyed Mohalli, Zarin Kola and Larim Sara
Iran, Islamic Republic of Shur Gol, Yadegarlu and Dorgeh Sangi lakes
Iran, Islamic Republic of South end of the Hamoun-i Puzak
Iraq Altun Kopri Marsh
Iraq Dalmaj Marsh
Italy Lake Trasimeno
Italy Venice lagoon
Kazakhstan Irgiz-Turgay Lakes
Kazakhstan Irtysh-Karaganda Waterworks 10
Kazakhstan Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve
Kazakhstan Koybagar-Tyuntyugur Lake System
Kazakhstan Kyzylkol Lake
Kazakhstan Lower reaches of the Karatal River
Kazakhstan Sorbulak Lake System
Kazakhstan Zhumay-Mayshukyr Lake System
Kyrgyzstan Son-Kul Lake
Lithuania Nemunas delta regional Park
Mongolia Uvs Lake
Montenegro Skadar Lake
Morocco Merja Zerga
Netherlands Biesbosch
Netherlands Grevelingen
Netherlands Krammer-Volkerak
Netherlands Krimpenerwaard
Netherlands Lake IJsselmeer
Netherlands Markermeer & IJmeer
Netherlands Rijntakken
Netherlands Veluwerandmeren
North Macedonia Lake Ohrid
Pakistan Haleji Wildlife Sanctuary
Pakistan Hammal Katchery Lake
Pakistan Kinjhar (Kalri) Wildlife Sanctuary
Pakistan Kirthar National Park (including Hub Dam)
Pakistan Nara canal wetlands (including Soonhari, Sadhori and Sanghriaro lakes)
Pakistan Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
Pakistan Rasool Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary
Pakistan Ucchali Wetland Complex
Poland Puck Bay
Poland Warta River Mouth
Romania Black Sea
Romania Danube Delta
Romania Lunca Siretului Mijlociu
Romania Olt valley
Russia (Central Asian) Chanovskaya lake system
Russia (Central Asian) Kurtan Lake
Russia (European) Achikol'skiye lakes
Russia (European) Chudsko-Pskovski Lake and the adjacent areas
Russia (European) Delta of the River Don
Russia (European) Kizlyar Bay
Russia (European) Taman'
Spain Ebro delta
Tajikistan Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve
Tunisia Ichkeul
Türkiye Bafa Lake
Türkiye Beyşehir Lake
Türkiye Burdur Lake
Türkiye Büyük Menderes Delta
Türkiye Ceyhan Delta
Türkiye Eğirdir Lake
Türkiye Göksu Delta
Türkiye Hirfanlı Reservoir
Türkiye Işıklı Lake
Türkiye Karakaya Reservoir
Türkiye Karkamış
Türkiye Kızılırmak Delta
Türkiye Kocaçay Delta
Türkiye Köyceğiz Lake
Türkiye Marmara Lake
Türkiye Meriç Delta
Türkiye Mogan lake
Türkiye Sapanca Lake
Türkiye Seyhan Delta
Türkiye Uluabat Lake
Turkmenistan Ekerem - Esenguly
Turkmenistan Garshy - Tarta
Turkmenistan Turkmen Bay
Turkmenistan Turkmenbashy Bay
Ukraine Dnipro delta
Ukraine Karkinits'ka and Dzharylgats'ka bays
Ukraine Kyivs'ke reservoir
Ukraine Yagorlyts'ka and Tendrivs'ka Bays
Uzbekistan Achinskoe Lake
Uzbekistan Karakyr Lakes
Uzbekistan Northern shore of Aydarkul Lake
Uzbekistan Tuzkan Lake

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Aquaculture Ponds suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Aquaculture Ponds suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Canals and Drainage Channels, Ditches suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Canals and Drainage Channels, Ditches suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Excavations (open) suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Excavations (open) suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Ponds (below 8ha) suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Ponds (below 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Salt Exploitation Sites suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Salt Exploitation Sites suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Land suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Land suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Wastewater Treatment Areas suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Wastewater Treatment Areas suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Water Storage Areas (over 8ha) suitable breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Water Storage Areas (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded suitable breeding
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded suitable non-breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes suitable breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes suitable non-breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Freshwater Lakes suitable breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Freshwater Lakes suitable non-breeding
Marine Neritic Estuaries marginal non-breeding
Marine Neritic Macroalgal/Kelp marginal non-breeding
Marine Neritic Seagrass (Submerged) marginal non-breeding
Marine Neritic Subtidal Loose Rock/pebble/gravel marginal non-breeding
Marine Neritic Subtidal Rock and Rocky Reefs marginal non-breeding
Marine Neritic Subtidal Sandy marginal non-breeding
Marine Neritic Subtidal Sandy-Mud marginal non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Altitude 0 - 3500 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Biological resource use Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance, Species mortality
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Unintentional effects (species is not the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Neovison vison Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Viral/prion-induced diseases - Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1 subtype) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Past, Likely to Return Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Past Impact
Stresses
Species mortality
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Other ecosystem modifications Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Pollution Industrial & military effluents - Oil spills Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national
Pets/display animals, horticulture international
Sport hunting/specimen collecting subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Eurasian Coot Fulica atra. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/eurasian-coot-fulica-atra on 18/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 18/12/2024.