Tuesday, June 19, 2007

What's A Mudhen?

The official name is the American Coot, but it's commonly called the "mudhen." This water bird looks like a cross between a duck and a chicken. Weak flyers, coots require a take-off run, on land or water, to get airborne and prefer to land in water. Usually gregarious, coots frequently live in parks and on golf courses, as well as sumps and natural ponds, where they feed on aquatic vegetation.

If you want to see a mudhen in person, visit Magee Marsh, which is located about 35 minutes east of Toledo, in mid to late April where you will see hundreds of these birds. Or like Josh and me, you could go to downtown Toledo to Fifth Third Field and see the baseball variety. Benefits of watching the baseball Mudhens include lots of snacks and foam finger souvenirs [Thanks Shawn and Mindy!!!], great seats [Thanks Dan!!!] and a playground just beyond centerfield. Go Mudhens!!!

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