Natural History Journal

Coots are not ducks.  That's probably one of the first lessons in waterfowl taxonomy you ought to learn.  In fact, they're not even kind of sort of related to ducks.  American Coots ( Fulica americana ) belong to the Rail family (Rallidae), along with rails (naturally) and gallinules.  Going one taxonomic step above family, they belong to the order Gruiformes, which also includes the crane family.  Ducks, geese and swans, however, are members of the order Anseriformes, quite a different branch of the avian family tree. So, the next time someone inquires about an all-black "duck" with a white bill and funny-looking feet, feel free to kindly share with them that the coot is not a duck at all, but actually more closely related to Sandhill Cranes !  Adult American Coot with two juveniles Because American Coots are terribly common birds on almost every body of water across nearly the entire North American continent, I pay them very little mind.  They're al

Experiencing a dawn chorus in the forests of the Sierra Nevada is a soul-stirring experience I wish everyone could appreciate.  Snuggled in a downy sleeping bag, the first rays of golden light peek over mountain ridges and pick their way through conifer boughs, sending streaks of color through the gray pre-dawn sky.  At the first signs of dawn, diurnal songbirds begin to stir, a chorus of glorious birdsong beginning quietly and gradually growing to fill the trees with earth's sweetest music. And one of the key musicians of this dawn chorus is the Black-headed Grosbeak ( Pheucticus melanocephalus ), a handsome black-and-orange bird, with a sturdy bill and sweet song.  Like the Western Tanager , the Black-headed Grosbeak is a member of the Cardinal family (Cardinalidae).  They are birds of western forests, where they inhabit high treetops, gleaning insect prey from foliage.  In the winter, Black-headed Grosbeaks retreat to the warmer climes of Central America, passing through