FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] dead coot in bean field

[Joan C Reese/SPEC/PS/EXT/UTIA <jreese5@xxxxxxx>]

I do live in the middle of substantial wetlands, but this coot was in the
soybean field across from me late last week. There was no water nearby. It
is possible the dogs carried it from the swamps, but it seemed to be in
perfect condition, feathers smooth, no signs of gunshot or dog teeth.

I was entranced by its feet. I have never gotten to hold a coot in my hand
and never thought of them as beautiful, but this one changed my mind -
especially the feet. The toes are astoundingly long, and bear long
undulating flaps that are engineered to act like webs when it swims but to
fold back down away from the pressure of the water when it lifts its feet
while wading. The toes were a lovely pea green with a black web-like
pattern.

I dropped him by the health department because the farmer who owns the
field wanted it tested for "bird flu" but they called later to say they
only test crows and jays for West Nile. I told them to throw it away then,
but now wish I'd gone back to get it and photograph its feet.

Carol Reese 3495 Island Road Beech Bluff TN Chester County

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