Posted by Bill Pranty on November 24, 2003 at 12:41:19:
In Reply to: Caribbean Coot? posted by Larry Manfredi on November 24, 2003 at 11:08:12:
Hi Larry et al.,
Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea) is still considered a distinct species, but the white-shielded coots seen in the US since the mid-1970s have been determined to be somewhat aberrant American Coots.
Concerning Caribbean Coot, the AOU Check-list (1998: 138) states, "Reports from southern Florida, primarily in non-breeding season, and locally at scattered locations throughout the United States, apparently pertain to variants of F. americana (Roberson and Baptists 1988, Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). The relationships of F. americana and F. caribaea are not fully understood; the latter may eventually prove to be a morph of F. americana. Individuals with intermedaite characteristics have been reported from southern Florida, Cuba, Hispaniola, and St. Croix. Mixed pairs of F. americana and F. caribaea with young have been observed on St. Johns, Virgin Islands (1984, Amer. Birds 38: 252)."
Your bird shows a distinct reddish callous at the very top of the shield, which proves that it is an American Coot. ("Pure" Caribbean Coots -- if there even is such a bird -- completely lack this callous).
It is incorrect to refer to coots seen in the US as Caribbean Coots; it is best to refer to them as white-shield (American) coots.
Best regards,
Bill Pranty
Avon Park, Florida