Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen

Waterhen, Swamp chicken

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Subclass
Infraclass
Superorder
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Gallinula chloropus
Population size
2.9-6.2 Mln
Life Span
3 years
Top speed
35
22
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
192-500
6.8-17.6
goz
g oz 
Length
30-38
11.8-15
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
50-62
19.7-24.4
cminch
cm inch 

The Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a bird species in the rail family (Rallidae) found across many parts of the Old World. These birds live around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, and other wetlands. The word 'moor' as a part of their name is an old sense meaning marsh.

Di

Diurnal

Om

Omnivore

Pr

Precocial

Co

Congregatory

Ov

Oviparous

Te

Territorial

Se

Semiaquatic

Mo

Monogamy

Ge

Generally solitary

Pa

Partial Migrant

C

starts with

Appearance

Common moorhens have predominantly black and brown plumage, with the exception of a white under-tail, white streaks on the flanks, yellow legs, and a red frontal shield. The bill is red with a yellow tip. The young are browner and lack the red shield. The frontal shield of the adult has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides; the tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is a smooth waving line.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Сommon moorhens are widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as eastern Europe, will migrate to more temperate climates. In China, Common moorhens are largely resident south of the Yangtze River, whilst northern populations migrate in the winter. These birds live around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, and other wetlands. They can even be found in city parks and urban areas.

Common Moorhen habitat map

Climate zones

Common Moorhen habitat map
Common Moorhen
Attribution-ShareAlike License

Habits and Lifestyle

Сommon moorhens are diurnal birds that spend their time swimming or walking along the shore. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes walking on lilypads or upending in the water to feed. They are often secretive but can become tame in some areas. Outside of the breeding season, Common moorhens prefer to spend their time alone; however, during the winter they may gather in groups to feed on sheltered lakes and ponds. To communicate with each other, these birds will give a wide range of gargling calls and will emit loud hisses when threatened.

Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Сommon moorhens have an omnivorous diet. They feed on a wide variety of vegetable material, seeds, and small aquatic creatures. The birds will also consume small fish, algae, insects, tadpoles, grass, berries, worms, and even snails.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
mid-March to mid-May in temperate regions
INCUBATION PERIOD
3 weeks
BABY NAME
chick
web.animal_clutch_size
8 eggs

Сommon moorhens are monogamous and territorial. They form pair-bonds that may last for several years. Pairs nest solitarily usually on top of thick mats of aquatic plants but may also nest in trees, shrubs, or on the ground in dense vegetation. Their nest is a wide shallow cup made with dead vegetation and lined with grass and leaves. Laying starts in spring, between mid-March and mid-May in Northern Hemisphere temperate regions. About 8 eggs are usually laid per female early in the season. Incubation lasts about three weeks. The chicks are precocial; they are hatched with eyes open and are covered in blackish down. Both parents incubate and feed the young. They fledge after 40-50 days, become independent usually a few weeks thereafter, and may raise their first brood the next spring.

Population

Population threats

Сommon moorhens are widespread across their wide range. However, in some areas populations of this species suffer from severe weather, habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. These birds are also sensitive to avian influenza disease and avian botulism which outbreaks can be a threat in the future.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Common moorhen population size is around 2,900,000-6,200,000 individuals. It is estimated that European population consists of around 4,956,000-8,400,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The name 'mor-hen' has been recorded in English since the 13th century. The word 'moor' here is an old sense meaning marsh, however, these birds are not usually found in moorland.
  • Common moorhens are known to swallow sand and gravels in order to help digest the vegetal food.
  • During the breeding season, Common moorhens build several nests; once the chicks leave the main nest, they will use the rest nests for sleeping at night.
  • When threatened, Common moorhen chicks may cling to the parents' body, after which the adult birds fly away to safety and carry their offspring with them.

References

1. Common Moorhen on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_moorhen
2. Common Moorhen on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62120190/155506651
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/707712

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