Chronology of migration by American coots in Oklahoma

William R. Eddleman; Fritz L. Knopf; Craig T. Patterson

doi:10.2307/3801878

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Chronology of migration by American coots in Oklahoma

William R. Eddleman·Fritz L. Knopf·Craig T. Patterson

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Abstract

American coots ( Fulica americana ) were studied on large reservoirs in north-central Oklahoma in 1979-1982 to determine chronologies of migrations by age- and sex class. Coots began migrating into Oklahoma in mid-September, numbers peaked in early to mid-October, and few birds were seen after 1 November. Some late migrants appeared in mid-December. In spring, coots began migrating in late February, numbers peaked in mid-April, and the last birds were seen in mid-May. Generally, adult and juvenile males and juvenile female coots migrated simultaneously in autumn, but adult females completed migration by 1 November. A few juveniles and adult males migrated in December. Adult coots preceded yearlings in spring. Despite annual and between-lake differences in chronology of autumn migration, most coots migrated before waterfowl hunting season in Oklahoma. Coot hunting seasons in mid-latitude states should commence before the general waterfowl season where management goals are to increase hunter interest and the harvest of birds.

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Journal of Wildlife Management Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 33.6158° to 37.0023° latitude; -103.0025° to -94.4307° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

William R. Eddleman, Fritz L. Knopf, Craig T. Patterson. 1985. Chronology of migration by American coots in Oklahoma. https://doi.org/10.2307/3801878

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