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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The American Coot (Fulica americana) is a bird of wetlands and open water. About 40 centimeters (16 inches) in length and weighing 0.65 kg (1.4 lb), adults have a short thick white bill and white frontal shield, with a reddish-brown spot near the base of the bill between the eyes. The body is grey with the head and neck darker than the rest of the body. Their legs are yellowish, with scalloped toes rather than webbed feet.
These chunky birds require a great deal of effort to become airborne, pedaling across the water with their feet before lifting off. The way in which their heads bob when they walk or swim has earned them the name "mud hen".
Although coots seem rather weak fliers, like most rails they have considerable stamina once airborne. This species has crossed the Atlantic to reach western Europe at least 23 times since records began.
Range: breeds from western Canada to New York, locally southward, winters in southern US primarily and in tropics. This is the first one I saw around here.
Next time I will take my 70 -300 telephoto lens. |
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![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 28 W: 5 N: 140]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif){kind=small}
