Martin Mere, Southport, Lancashire, UK 13th May, 2015. Springtime at the Wetland Centre in Burscough near Rufford where Coots are raising their newly hatched fluffy brood. The colourful word of flowering foliage and wildlife with birds and waterfowl in full breeding plumage. The Wetland Centre will once again be home to a newly-hatched batch of adorable ducklings this spring, with its special Downy Ducklings Days taking place from over the Holiday weekend. Credit: Mar Photographics/Alamy Live News
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the Rallidae family. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and—unlike many rails—they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water, they are territorial and will swim menacingly towards any intruders on their patch. Coots are water birds whose heads have the appearance of baldness. This doesn't refer to the lack of feathers on the bird's head, but to their white markings. 'Bald' has several meanings, one of which is 'streaked or marked with white'. That's the meaning here, as in 'piebald', used to describe the black and white markings of a horse or other animal. The phrase is very old and is referred to in John Lydgate's Chronicle of Troy, 1430: "And yet he was as balde as is a coote."
Size: 3601px × 2401px
Location: Martin Mere, Southport, Lancashire, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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