American Coot

Ok, so I think I am breaking the rules since I don't have a picture yet but crazy story about last night. I had a few friends over and we were BBQ'n, sitting around the deck. I looked over in the corner of my yard, and I see this large, chicken size bird cleaning itself. I was shocked as I have never seen this type of bird before and it was so close to us and not even bothered by our presence. I tried to pull my phone camera out but it was starting to get dark.

What's really funny, is the closer I got, the closer the bird would get. We were walking up to it, checking it out, and it was just hanging out. So I decided, what the heck, let me see if I could pick it up, maybe it was domesticated. Nope. It tried to fly away but couldn't get too high. I realized this bird wasn't going to make it out of my privacy fence and with the stray cat problem, it was destined to be dinner. So I picked it up and put it in a large dog kennel for relocating today.

A quick google search revealed that it was an American Coot and they are very clumsy at flying. They are a mostly vegetarian waterfowl found in wetlands and unfortunately, there aren't any nearby. It appears to be at the immature stage and that's probably why it was so friendly.

I'll take some pictures when I get home before we let it go at the botanical gardens, but here's a google pic for now. Has anyone ever seen one before? I haven't and I practically grew up on the water but maybe never paid attention. (look at those crazy feet!)

What a hoot! An American Coot!

That is REALLY cool looking Nick. I have never seen/heard of one before but either way it's freakin awesome. Glad you are going to release it at the gardens... since Mama eagle died I havent been back makes me sad to think of that place. Hopefully it does well though. Very neat find. Did your son see it??

smb2585 wrote:

That is REALLY cool looking Nick. I have never seen/heard of one before but either way it's freakin awesome. Glad you are going to release it at the gardens... since Mama eagle died I havent been back makes me sad to think of that place. Hopefully it does well though. Very neat find. Did your son see it??

Yeah, he was like "Oh man!! bird fly bird fly big time!!" He came outside right as the bird tried to take off the first time and it flew right over his head. He got excited

LOL Awwww. Kids and their amazement/curiousity is awesome.

Ok. Cooter on the run. We tried put the kennel in the back of the truck and he slipped through the bars. He's back in my yard but I think I'm going to let him be before he hurts himself.

I havent seen one before. looks pretty cool.

that thing is so weird!!! ................... i want one......

Sweet pics Nick....