The foot of a Coot

Lol, my title is a good example of why they say that English is the hardest language to learn! Not a great photo, but l like that it shows the lobed, not webbed, foot of this water bird (which is not a species of duck!). Taken on 17 May 2013 in SW Calgary.

"Though commonly mistaken to be ducks, American Coots belong to a distinct order. Unlike the webbed feet of ducks, coots have broad, lobed scales on their lower legs and toes that fold back with each step in order to facilitate walking on dry land. Coots live near water, typically inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies in North America. Groups of coots are called covers or rafts. The oldest known coot lived to be 22 years old." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Coot

allaboutbirds.org/guide/AD_IMAGES/square-warbler.png?foo=...


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