ML368897671

Age

Not specified

Sex

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Observation details

While looking for the Sora reported yesterday a drab gray bird emerged from the lotus vegetation and started to preen and bathe while I watched. It was nearly American Coot sized, with a dark bill, white stripe on its flanks, and had prominent white tail feathers broken by a nearly black stripe all the way down. I had opportunity to study the gallinule as it adjusted its plumage before continuing to feed and move about the vegetation. Bill drooped slightly like a coot's but was thinner. The gallinule was about 10 yards away, and only a few feet off the levee bank. While trying to get photos a second bird startled me and landed near the first bird, but a few feet further out. It also had the white flank slash but just slightly more barring, was gray overall, and had the white tail broken by a dark central stripe. Both birds found from the levee just south of the observation deck. I was about 25 yards from the end of the levee. Gallinules were in the pool to the right of the levee (north), but not more than 25 feet from the bank. The first bird stayed within 10 feet of the bank. Location approximately 39.250858, -94.232329 per Google Maps. Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cpdtozKMfwI

Technical information

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