The bird species that was once 'offered to the king' has now become a rare, nutritious and expensive dish.

The Fulica Atra, scientific name Fulica Atra, is a bird of the Rail family, distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia. In Vietnam, the Fulica Atra is found in the Northern Delta, especially the ancient West Lake Fulica Atra.

Distinctive appearance and hunting abilities

Although they resemble ducks in appearance, coots are not members of the duck family but belong to an entirely different group of birds, with behaviors and characteristics that make them unique in the natural world.

Although they look quite similar to ducks, if you look closely, they have many distinct characteristics. Their heads and necks are black, while their bodies are covered in silver feathers and their tails have white spots. The most notable feature is their hard, sharp and strong beaks , which help them easily hunt underwater creatures.

The black-headed ibis is a bird with a jet-black head and neck, reddish-brown eyes, a long pointed beak and a white beak. The average weight of the black-headed ibis is about 0.5-0.8kg.

The black-headed ibis is a bird with a jet black head and neck.

This bird lives mainly in aquatic environments, where it hunts and breeds. Its food is mainly animals and plants living in ponds and lakes, especially in swamps where there are many types of fish, snails, shrimps or roots.

Surprising parenting behavior

The most special thing about coots is not only their appearance but also the way they care for their young. During the breeding season, coots build nests to lay eggs and hatch their chicks. At first, they show great love and care for their young. However, when food sources become scarce, coots will stop feeding their young and even chase them out of the nest. The abandoned chicks have no choice but to starve.

This behavior, while seemingly cruel, is a survival strategy. In the wild, coots must choose between raising a few strong chicks or accepting the loss of some weak ones to ensure the survival of the flock. This is a difficult but necessary decision in a harsh environment.

The coot is an omnivorous bird.

The battle for survival against natural enemies

In addition to the challenge of food, the coot also has to face natural predators, especially eagles – birds of prey known for their strength and sharp talons. However, the coot is a species of great courage, they do not hesitate to confront larger predators.

When an eagle approaches its nest or chicks, the eagle will bravely advance to fight. With its strong beak and strong legs, it fiercely attacks the eagle. There have even been cases where the eagle tramples the eagle to the bottom of the river, causing the predator to suffocate and drown. This behavior shows the courage and intelligence of this small bird in protecting itself and its offspring from outside threats.

Adaptability and survival

Not only showing strength in combat, coots are also very good at adapting to changing living environments. They choose quiet, remote waters to build nests and ensure the safety of their young. When food sources become scarce, they will look for new places to survive, showing their flexibility in maintaining life.

The coot is a mysterious and interesting bird.

With their intelligence and high survival instinct, coots have created a special place in the natural ecosystem. They are not only small but powerful predators, but also birds that know how to use the aquatic environment to survive, build nests and protect their offspring.

Coots are mysterious and fascinating birds, not only because of their duck-like appearance but also because of their unique behaviors and survival intelligence. Their behavior of starving their young or confronting eagles may surprise us, but that is how they adapt and survive in the challenging natural world.

The presence of the coot reminds us of the diversity and richness of nature. Each creature has its own survival strategies, reflecting the wonder of wildlife. It is these unique characteristics that make the coot special in the animal world, and we should cherish and protect these creatures, to maintain the balance and richness of the natural ecosystem.

Royal specialties

The bird has long been considered a delicacy and was once used as a tribute to the king. Due to its characteristics, dishes made from the bird are very nutritious and valuable. Therefore, the price of the bird on the market is quite expensive, from 800,000 VND to 1 million VND/bird.

According to those who have enjoyed it, ginseng has soft, bright red meat and can be elaborately processed into many specialty dishes.

Dishes made from ginseng are very nutritious and precious.

In the past, the ibis used to come to West Lake to eat lotus, but now it has "nowhere to go" due to urban development and population explosion. Primarily, ibis are hunted in the wild, but due to overpopulation, many households now have to find ways to raise and breed this bird for business.

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