"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
