Coot Caught a Fish

[colin C]

I have never seen anything like this before. Coot caught a fish. Didn't even try to swallow it whole as most birds who hunt fish would. He gave it violent shakes to break it up a bit and then nibbled and swallowed the smaller bits.

I had too big a lens on really and clipped a few shots here and there, but no time to strap on a smaller lens. You can see the half eaten fish in the second shot.

C18I6167a by colin cross, on Flickr

C18I6227a by colin cross, on Flickr

[tigerburnie]

Re: Coot Caught a Fish

Interesting shots Colin, not seen them eat anything quite this big before, looks like a young Roach it's eating.

[Trev B]

Re: Coot Caught a Fish

Well caught Colin, likewise never seen that before. Did it actually catch it or was it dead.

[colin C]

Re: Coot Caught a Fish

Pretty sure it caught it.

It dived under and I didn't take a lot of notice as I am not too bothered about Coots. When it came up I expected a beak full of weed and I was so surprised it was a fish. Tail was still wriggling and then the Coot started shaking it hard and smashing it into the water. It wasn't alive for too long with that treatment.

[Bill53]

Re: Coot Caught a Fish

Well captured Colin.

Bill.

[Dawesy]

Re: Coot Caught a Fish

Fascinating capture Colin , never seen that behaviour before