Gallinules are pretty small - smaller than American Coots I believe. Is there
any possibility that it could have been an American Oystercatcher?
Chloe Walker
Vail, AZ
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 3, 2020, at 2:14 PM, Charles <owlman505@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I stopped by the VW wetlands in Hamilton County about 3 PM this afternoon.
While viewing the western area of the wetlands I saw a rather large bird in
the water among the plants. While trying to get a photo of this rather
distant bird, it disappeared from view, and I could never relocate it. My
immediate impression for the short time I had it in view was that it was a
gallinule. I never got an extended view of the head, nor was I able to see a
possible white stripe on its side. It did have a red bill. My overall
impression was “a rather stocky black bird with a red bill.” Maybe if it
stays there for a few days, someone else may get a better look and/or a good
photo. I cannot now say for sure if it was a Common Gallinule or a Purple
Gallinule. I lean toward Common Gallinule.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
