Birds

Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra · Lișiță

A round black waterbird with a white bill and forehead shield, common on lakes.

At a glance

Status in Romania: Resident
Habitat: Wetland / Urban
Activity: Morning · Daytime · Evening
Diet: Mainly aquatic plants and seeds, plus other plant material and invertebrates.
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Photography difficulty: Easy to observe

Identification

All black with a white bill and white frontal shield. Lobed toes.

Habitat

Most aquatic habitats with still or slow water, shallow depths, abundant submerged plants and reed vegetation.

Distribution

Breeds in most aquatic habitats in Romania except the mountains.

Approximate range in Romania

Most of RomaniaGeneral distribution only. This is not an occurrence map and does not show nesting or sensitive wildlife locations.

When it is active

Morning · Daytime · Evening

Diet

Mainly aquatic plants and seeds, plus other plant material and invertebrates.

Behaviour

Noisy and territorial in spring, with splashing fights. Runs across the surface to take off.

Seasonality in Romania

Breeds in Romania and is present throughout the year. During migration and winter large concentrations form on open water, with birds arriving from further north.

JanPresent
FebPresent
MarPresent
AprPresent
MayPresent
JunPresent
JulPresent
AugPresent
SepPresent
OctPresent
NovPresent
DecPresent

Source-verified months inform the seasonal filters. Local timing can vary. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.

How to find it

Lakes, ponds and reservoirs almost anywhere in the lowlands; large flocks in winter.

Photography

General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.

Difficulty: Easy to observe
Behaviour to anticipate: Territorial chases and pattering take-offs in spring.
Starting shutter speed: 1/2000 sec or faster for fights and running take-offs.
Light: Expose carefully: black plumage and a white shield in the same frame.
Ethics: Keep well away from nests and colonies, never use playback, and leave if the birds change behaviour because of you.

Practical starting points, not fixed rules.