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Story: Wetland birds

Australian coot on nest

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Australian coot on nest

Australian coots build a floating nest of rushes and twigs, anchored to vegetation. They lay four to eight creamy white eggs with dark spots. Both male and female incubate the eggs and tend to the young.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10048680

by Peter Reese

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Wetland birds – Pūkeko and Australian coots, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14661/australian-coot-on-nest (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.