American Coots at Riverhills Boat Dock

If you're a Temple Terrace birder and still on the lookout for birds that like to visit us in the winter, you might want to check out the small flock of American Coots hanging around at the Riverhills Park boat dock.

These birds lack webbed feet and are not ducks, but they do swim and dive and forage on aquatic plants. American Coots are visually striking birds with their bright white bills, slate gray bodies, and white tail patch.

Maybe you'll see them try to take off. They're not very good at it and have to beat their wings rapidly and run across the water to get lift off.

They like calm water with vegetation along the shore, which means the Riverhills Boat Dock is a perfect place.

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