While originally marsh birds coots can now be found anywhere there is water in Western Europe. Tough and highly adaptive they found a way into the cities and thrive there. They are aggressive and territorial, especially in the breeding season. Yet coots also have a dark side when it comes to their chicks. They sometimes let them starve or peck them to death when they beg too much for food. This family, however, seems to be doing fine.
Wigeons in the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen in Ghent. Eurasian Wigeons are familiar winter guests in Belgium and the Netherlands. They breed from Iceland to Scandinavia and east to Eastern Siberia.
A male mallard in all its colourful glory.
