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 Gallinula chloropus  Common Moorhen
(Previously known as Common Gallinule) These reed-nesting herbivores nest throughout the open, marshy areas of the Coastal Marsh and Mississippi/Red River regions, although less commonly northward.

photo Copyright © 1999 by Brian Miller 
male or female

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 Fulica americana  American Coot
Although coots are very common in the winter, these ground-nesting omnivores are rare breeding birds in Louisiana. Many of the "Possible" records probably represent migrants or other nonbreeding individuals.

painting by Louis Agassiz Fuertes 1910
female or male, and juvenile

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 Haematopus palliatus  American Oystercatcher
The sparse Louisiana population of these ground-nesting mollusk predators is strictly coastal, with most birds on the barrier islands. This species is included on the Audubon WatchList for Louisiana.

photo Copyright © 1999 by Dan Lane 
male or female