We examined the movement patterns of American Coots relative to water temperature and heat index where a geothermally heated stream enters Utah Lake, UT, USA during winter using a thermal imager onboard an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Observations of Coots in different water temperatures (n = 2354) were compiled during 31 flights in January–March, 2020. Coots were actively swimming during 82.3% of the observations, fleeing during 8.1%, and sedentary in water during 9.6%. The population spent more time swimming in cooler water and were sedentary for longer in warmer water. The only instance of uniform behavior occurred during an anomalously cold period in which Coots stood huddled in the warmest available water. Using a linear model framework, we found that Coot time spent increased with water temperature when heat index decreased. Coots’ swim paths deviated away from warmer water more than cooler water and more so as heat index increased. We suggest that Coots use the spring water primarily for ice-free habitat and maintain metabolic rates via a combination of thermal conductance, caloric ingestion, and exercise, but only exploit the heated water strictly for thermoregulation during anomalously cold periods. We discuss the benefits and hindrances of using UASs amidst a rapidly expanding assortment of sensors and aircraft available to researchers. Given wetlands’ immediate conservation concern, ecosystem services they provide, and support of unique species assemblages, our research provides valuable insight into documenting wildlife’s use of wetlands with relatively low scientific take and human interference.

我们使用无人机系统 (UAS) 上的热成像仪，研究了美国白顶鹬相对于水温和热量指数的运动模式，其中地热加热流在冬季进入美国犹他州犹他湖。在 2020 年 1 月至 3 月的 31 次飞行中，对不同水温下的白顶鸟类进行了观测（n = 2354）。在 82.3% 的观测中，白顶鸟类活跃游泳，在 8.1% 的观测中逃跑，在 9.6% 的观测中在水中久坐。人们在较冷的水中游泳的时间更长，在较温暖的水中久坐的时间更长。唯一一次行为一致的例子发生在异常寒冷的时期，库茨蜷缩在最温暖的水中。使用线性模型框架，我们发现当热指数降低时，冷却时间随着水温的增加而增加。库茨的游泳路径偏离温暖水域的程度大于远离凉爽水域的程度，并且随着热指数的增加而更加偏离。我们建议库茨主要将泉水用于无冰栖息地，并通过热传导、热量摄入和运动的结合来维持代谢率，但仅在异常寒冷时期严格利用热水进行体温调节。我们讨论了在研究人员可用的传感器和飞机种类迅速增加的情况下使用无人机系统的好处和障碍。考虑到湿地的直接保护问题、它们提供的生态系统服务以及对独特物种组合的支持，我们的研究为记录野生动物对湿地的利用提供了宝贵的见解，而科学性和人为干扰相对较低。