Common but poorly known: information derived from 32 years of Coot (Fulica atra) ringing in the Camargue, Southern France

Abstract

Rallidae are common and widespread, yet relatively poorly studied. We analysed the ringing data from more than 8,000 Common Coot Fulica atra accumulated between 1950 and 1982 in Camargue, Southern France, in terms of dynamics of their biometrics throughout the year, migratory pathways and annual survival rate. Mean monthly body mass and wing length indicate monthly differences, with birds captured in autumn and winter being heavier and larger than those captured in spring and summer. More than 950 ring recoveries were obtained, whose distribution across Europe and through time indicates a mixing of sedentary and migratory birds. The capture-recapture analysis indicated lower annual survival rate during the year following ringing, and greater survival in adults and in males. Mean survival rate over sex and age classes more than one year after ringing was 55%. This is somewhat lower than in other studies, and may be related to the importance of Coot hunting in Camargue, especially during the years of this study.