Mianus Watershed Backyard Coyote Survey

If you would like to be part of the survey, you should be able to tell the difference between a coyote and a similar-looking domestic dog.

The purpose of this project is to estimate the distribution of coyotes around the Mianus watershed. Observations can be submitted via the survey form which you can get from your school or download and print from the link to the left.

 

Remember, only submit sightings from Fall 2005 to present, and that a submission of not ever seeing a coyote is just as important as a positive observation.  So even if you have never seen a coyote on your property, you can still help our study.

The coyote (Canis latrans) is a omnivorous canid that has colonized our area relatively recently. They are the size of medium-sized dogs, about 35 lbs., and were typically found on the prairies and deserts of the North American west. They have colonized the East primarily due to the eradication of wolves and have proven a very adaptable species, and are now one of our area's top predators (along with humans and the much rarer bobcat and black bear.

Coyotes tend to be leaner and smaller than many dogs, and their tails are particularly bushy and held straight (not curved like huskies'). They are usually gray and tan/rusty. Northeast coyotes may sometimes be a bit larger than those found in the Western U.S., possibly because of hybridization with Canadian wolves at some point in their push eastward.

Coyotes pose little danger to people (you are much more likely to be attacked by a domestic dog), but have been known to attack pets that are left outside, as coyotes may view them as prey or as intruders on their territory.

Mianus River Gorge Preserve
167 Mianus River Rd
Bedford, NY 10506-1808
(914) 234-3455
mrgp_manager@yahoo.com

The above pictures courtesy of the National Park Service

The above picture courtesy of the New Hampshire Public Television

The preceding 5 shots were taken either in the Preserve or nearby, the last two courtesy of Scott Kurnit.

Thank you for your interest in our local coyote survey! On this page you will find some descriptive and life history info about the coyote and some pictures to help you identify them.

 

To the right are some pictures of coyotes to help you become familiar with them (click each to get a bigger picture), and here are what they sound like:

(Note how they are similar to a wolf howl, but are much higher in pitch and often start and end with a bit of barking/yapping.)