Last winter, I took a walk by the Jamaica Bay Refuge Center. I did not expect to see any birds there, but to my surprise, there were dozens. The freezing water of Jamaica Bay was filled with grey-looking birds. At first, I thought I was looking at flocks of ducks, but they did not look like ducks. Their grey bodies, black heads, and white beaks seemed surreal. 

I stumbled upon folks of American Coot (Fulica americana). They are not even related to ducks. American Coot is more closely related to cranes. Their feet lack typical duck webbing, and they can recognize their young. 

American Coots are listed as migratory game birds, thus sensitive to loss, degradation, and habitat fragmentation. Human development and removal of natural marshes severely affect many migratory bird species.

Many migratory birds, including American coots, are routinely shot for sport. Hunting for sport is something I have never understood and likely never will. According to New York State regulations, a hunter can hunt 15 coots per day and possess up to 45 birds. American coots are not a popular source of meat, but this still makes me wonder what is done with them. For many waterfowl birds, using no-toxic shots is not even required, which poses a threat to the other wildlife preying on the carcasses. 

What amazed me the most was that American Coot is a common species, yet I failed to notice it. This makes me wonder what else lives in plain sight that I fail to see…with eyes wide open, we should see the world so we do not fail to see the common.

As I walked around the pond, I wished we paid more attention. I surely will!