Because of the low reproduction rate of the coot (1.05 ± 0.21 fledged young/pair/yr) on the left bank of the River Scheldt near Antwerp (Belgium), its breeding biology was studied during 1984-1990. Occurrence of shallow water with the water-level rapidly receding, poor development of emergent vegetation and of aquatic life is described. The risk of nest predation is potentially increased by the high breeding density, the great number of nests on dry land, the bulk nest construction so easily visible, and a shortage of nest covering. Young received food from their parents that was deficient in animal proteins. Contamination of the soil with heavy metals was probably the cause of this shortage.
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