YO U R B AC K YA R D AMERICAN COOT
By Renell Roebuck, Interpretive Naturalist
If you look out over the water at Nimisila
vegetation — they are lobed instead of
Reservoir Metro Park, you might see
webbed like those of a duck or goose.
a rather strange-looking bird paddling
This adaptation allows the coot to forage
by with its head bobbing forward and
in wetlands for plants and small aquatic
back. It is medium-sized, charcoal gray
critters like snails and tadpoles. Coots
and has a white beak and face shield.
find food both above and below the
Below the surface, it paddles through
water, as well as on land.
the water using its unusual, but welladapted feet. This bird is the American coot (Fulica americana), also known as a mud hen.
The next time you are out in Summit Metro Parks, try to sneak a peak at this curious bird and its unusual feet!
Its feet are designed for swimming and walking around on matted wetland summitmetroparks.org
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