Coots

Continuing with Coots:

American Coot

Common Gallinule

Birds of Sweetwater Wetlands - Part I

I've had a chance to get over to Sweetwater Wetlands a couple of times in the past week. While I didn't see anything rare I thought I'd at least share what can be typically found there (in alphabetical order):

American Coot

Anna's Hummingbird

Common Yellowthroat

Cooper's Hawk

Gambel's Quail

House Finch

Pena Blanca Lake

The story continues:

Two days later, we made the same trip with some friends starting with a picnic at Pena Blanca Lake. This was more of a "hike" and sightseeing tour than birding/photo trip. Didn't get to the spot at Pena Blanca where the Rufous Capped Warbler has been hanging out. 

Although American Coots are everywhere, and I normally don't take photos of them anymore, I did get one this time of one begging for a photo:

American Coot

Bobblehead Ducks: Coots

"Bobblehead Ducks" is my term, so you are not likely to find it used in National Geographic. I use the term because it best characterizes the coot who's head is constantly "bobbing" back and forth. Coots are duck-sized water birds common in South America, North America and Europe. They have prominent frontal shields or other decoration on the forehead, some with coloured bills, and typically with some white on the under tail. They have lobed toes. Coots can walk and run vigorously on strong legs, and have long toes that are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. This helps them get into and around the weedbeds that they are fond of. They have short, rounded wings and so are relatively weak fliers. They tend to be year round residents in the Western United States. Those that migrate winter in the Southeastern US, spending their summers in the midwest and Canada. Those that migrate do so at night.  Coots are omnivores taking mainly plant material, but also small animals and eggs. The American Coot dives more than its cousin the Common Moorhen. They are aggressively territorial during the breeding season, but are otherwise often found in sizeable flocks on shallow well vegetated lakes. I have seen several thousand American Coots on a lake at one time. My observation is that they are the most abundant of all waterbirds (but I can't confirm that). Below you'll find photos of the American Coot and the Common Moorhen. The third of the North American species, the Purple Gallinule is found only in the Gulf Coast States.

American Coot

photo taken at East Lake, Oregon

American Coot

photo taken at Fig Lagoon, California

Common Moorhen

photo taken at Sweetwater Wetlands, Arizona

Common Moorhen

photo taken at Sweetwater Wetlands, Arizona