Progressive Greying in Common Coots (Fulica atra): A New Records from Rajasthan Wetlands, India

Abstract

Colour aberrations are well documented in many wild birds, but less synthesized for waterfowl. Leucism (partial or total) is a hereditary condition that alters the generation of pigments (eumelanin and/or phae-omelanin) in feathers due to a lack of pigment-producing cells in the skin. This study reports two cases in Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 (Common Coot) from Rajasthan, India, via opportunistic surveys at Kanota Dam, Jaipur (26°54′51.4″ N, 75°56′29.3″ E) on 26 December 2024, and Menar Lake, Udaipur (24°35′22.5″ N, 74°06′25.8″ E) on 30 December 2024. Direct visual observations with photography documented plumage, bare-part coloration, and behavior for 15-20 min per individual. At Kanota Dam (flock ~30 coots), one showed irregular white patches on mantle, scapulars, wing coverts, and asymmetrical white feathers. At Menar Lake (mixed flock ~100 coots/dabbling ducks), one had extensive pale plumage with contiguous white patches on breast, neck, and dorsum. These progressive greying records expand known pigmentation anomalies in F. atra and highlight needs for wetland monitoring.