Story: Wetland birds

Australian coot and chick

Australian coot and chick

This Australian coot is holding aquatic plant material in its bill, to feed its chick. Many coots arrived in New Zealand in 1957, coinciding with the start of a major drought in Australia. They are now well established, their numbers increasing as they colonise new wetlands.

Using this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: DSCI7129Smd.JPG
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Wetland birds - Pūkeko and Australian coots', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14662/australian-coot-and-chick (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015