Black duck with white beak: name and habitat, diet and enemies
In nature, there are 2 types of black ducks, one of which the man failed to tame. The latter includes the coot, or waterfowl. Among the features of this black duck with a white beak, an unusual appearance is distinguished. The bird prefers to spend most of its time on land next to a reservoir in which reeds grow. The bird is not large in size, but it remains noticeable even from afar.
Description and features of black ducks with a white beak
The reason why the black duck is called the coot is that the bird has a white growth on the front of its head, resembling a bald spot.This waterfowl belongs to the shepherd family and the crane-like order. In addition to the characteristic stripe above the nose, the coot has the following features:
- strong body;
- the weight of an adult bird reaches 1.5 kilograms;
- body length is 35-40 centimeters;
- medium sized head with bright red irises around the eyes;
- shorten tail;
- yellow-orange paws with gray toes;
- black or dark gray plumage.
The distinctive features of coots include a shortened and pointed beak, designed for catching fish. This feature is not characteristic of domesticated ducks.
Unlike other waterfowl, coot fingers are not interconnected by membranes, but are bordered with leathery lobes. Thanks to this structure, black ducks swim well.
The bird has short wings, which the coot has to actively flap during the flight. But, despite this feature, the black duck is able to travel long distances.
Coot habitat
Black ducks with a white forehead settled mainly in temperate climates. These birds are found in countries:
- Africa;
- North America;
- Europe;
- Asian.
Coots also live in Russia. There are black ducks in northern latitudes. But the birds living here fly to warmer regions with ice-free waters in autumn.
Food and habits
Wild ducks with white beaks spend most of their time on land. However, birds are looking for food in the water. Coots are able to dive quickly and deeply, and thanks to the pointed beak, ducks are more likely to successfully catch fish.These birds fly worse. Coots mainly rise into the air at the moment of danger or during a flight to warm regions. The basis of the diet of these birds is:
- ryast;
- river algae;
- hornwort;
- rdest;
- duckweed.
Fish makes up to 5% of the diet. During the cold season, this figure increases due to:
- shellfish;
- fish roe;
- fry;
- aquatic insects.
Coots live in compact flocks, within which pairs are constantly formed. During the mating season, the birds settle separately from each other.After the appearance of offspring, the drake and duck are engaged in the search for food. At the same time, one of the birds is constantly in the nest, protecting the offspring from predators or other members of the flock. Strong coots often steal freshly caught prey from their relatives.
Young ducks rarely attack the nests of other birds. This is because birds need protein during their growth period.
Reproduction and longevity
The breeding season for this bird begins in late February or March. If coots live in northern latitudes, then duck offspring are born no earlier than April. During this period, the activity of the bird increases. Females make loud sounds in order to attract males, drakes - low and deaf. During the search for partners, ducks begin to swim quickly, raising splashes of water with their wings. After pairing, the courtship period begins when the birds clean their partner's feathers and share food.
The coot's nest is built on the shore, fixing the walls on the reeds. When making a place for a brood, grass and feathers are used. Both partners take part in building the nest. The diameter of the place for withdrawal reaches 40 centimeters with a wall height of 20 centimeters. During this period, coots become aggressive towards other members of the flock. Therefore, nests are located at a distance of more than 30 meters.
On average, an adult duck lays 7-12 eggs. Planting is done by both partners. At the same time, cases are not uncommon when a coot throws eggs into other nests. Chicks appear after 22 days. The young grow stronger within 7-11 weeks. During this period, the chicks learn to fly and find food on their own. In the future, the young form small groups, with which the ducks fly away for the winter in the first year of life. Puberty in chicks occurs next spring.
In regions with a warm climate, black ducks make up to four clutches, with a cold climate - up to two.
The life expectancy of coots depends on the place and habits. The oldest recorded black duck was an individual that died at the age of 18.
Natural enemies
Despite the presence of a non-standard color, it is not adults, but young animals that are most at risk in the wild. White-headed chicks fall prey to peregrine falcons, eagles, gulls, ravens and peregrine falcons. Also a threat to chicks and eggs are:
- boars;
- otters;
- muskrats;
- ferrets;
- mink;
- foxes.
Danger for coots is changeable weather.Due to the fact that the mating period falls at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the night frosts characteristic of this period can kill unborn chicks. Floods also create problems, flooding nests located near water bodies.
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