Baby American Coot at WildCare
This extraordinarily colorful American Coot chick was brought to WildCare after approaching boaters on a lake in Marin County. He was alone, peeping, and very insistent on joining them, so they scooped him up and brought him to the Wildlife Hospital for care.
Although they are common birds in the San Francisco Bay Area, it's rare to admit one to WildCare, especially one this young!
In the videos below, the young coot enjoys a dish of freshly cut fish and shrimp and has a drink in his enclosure at WildCare before being transferred to another wildlife care center that specializes in waterbirds like him for continued care and, hopefully, eventual release!
Photo by Vanessa Potter
You’ve probably seen American Coots dabbling in local waterways and wetlands, paddling like little black boats and periodically dipping underwater to hunt and forage. Their remarkable lobed toes help them navigate the muddy, uneven terrain of marshy habitats, but also leave them clumsy on land and awkward on the water.
While they may seem unimpressive at a glance, these commonplace birds are smarter—and more strategic—than they appear. American Coots have some surprisingly wild parenting strategies, and their chicks hatch blazing with bright orange fuzz, red skin, and neon beaks! It turns out this outrageous plumage plays a powerful role in coot family dynamics.
Photo by William Thomas
A new study found that adult coots tend to favor the most colorful chicks, helping the smallest and latest-hatched babies catch up to their bigger siblings. In fact, each parent picks a “favorite” chick—usually the flashiest one!
Coots lay large clutches; usually more chicks than they can actually feed. For the first 10 days, parents let natural competition decide who survives, and when they step back in, the chicks’ bright colors signal who needs the most nutrition.
Coot moms sneak eggs into each other's nests! But these “parasitic” chicks are not as colorful, putting them at a disadvantage when food is scarce. For baby coots, even a splash of color can mean the difference between survival and starvation.
Coots can… count? Females seem to recognize and tally their own eggs, rejecting imposter eggs or burying them to avoid wasting resources on someone else’s offspring. Scientists think female coots recognize the unique speckle patterns of their own eggs and can differentiate them from those introduced by other birds.