(Description from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a bird in the Rail family with an almost worldwide
distribution. It is often called the "Common Waterhen", especially in the British Isles, and this is a
more descriptive name because the bird lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, etc.,
and is usually not found in moorland. Another name which is popular in the United States is the
Common Gallinule. The bird is not found in Australasia, the polar regions, or many tropical
rainforests. Elsewhere the Common Moorhen is likely the most commonly seen Rail species to
most people with the exception of the Coot in some regions.
A "watercock" is not a male "waterhen", but the rail species Gallicrex cinerea, is not related to the
Common Moorhen. "Water rail" usually refers to Rallus aquaticus, again not closely related.
This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments and well-vegetated lakes. Populations in
areas where the waters freeze, such as southern Canada, northern United States and eastern
Europe, will migrate to more temperate climates. This species will consume a wide variety of
vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes
upending in the water to feed. It is often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite
loss of habitat in parts of its range, the Common Moorhen remains plentiful and widespread.
The nest is a basket built on the ground in dense vegetation. Laying starts in spring, between mid-
March and mid-May in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. Early in the season, the
female lays about 8 eggs; a brood later in the year usually has only 5-8 or even less eggs. Nests
may be re-used by different females. Incubation lasts about three weeks. Both parents incubate
and feed the young. These fledge after 40–50 days, become independent usually a few weeks
thereafter, and may raise their first brood the by the following spring. When threatened, the
young may cling to the parents' body, after which the adult birds fly away to safety, carrying their
offspring with them.
The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a bird in the Rail family with an almost worldwide
distribution. It is often called the "Common Waterhen", especially in the British Isles, and this is a
more descriptive name because the bird lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, etc.,
and is usually not found in moorland. Another name which is popular in the United States is the
Common Gallinule. The bird is not found in Australasia, the polar regions, or many tropical
rainforests. Elsewhere the Common Moorhen is likely the most commonly seen Rail species to
most people with the exception of the Coot in some regions.
A "watercock" is not a male "waterhen", but the rail species Gallicrex cinerea, is not related to the
Common Moorhen. "Water rail" usually refers to Rallus aquaticus, again not closely related.
This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments and well-vegetated lakes. Populations in
areas where the waters freeze, such as southern Canada, northern United States and eastern
Europe, will migrate to more temperate climates. This species will consume a wide variety of
vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes
upending in the water to feed. It is often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite
loss of habitat in parts of its range, the Common Moorhen remains plentiful and widespread.
The nest is a basket built on the ground in dense vegetation. Laying starts in spring, between mid-
March and mid-May in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. Early in the season, the
female lays about 8 eggs; a brood later in the year usually has only 5-8 or even less eggs. Nests
may be re-used by different females. Incubation lasts about three weeks. Both parents incubate
and feed the young. These fledge after 40–50 days, become independent usually a few weeks
thereafter, and may raise their first brood the by the following spring. When threatened, the
young may cling to the parents' body, after which the adult birds fly away to safety, carrying their
offspring with them.
(Photo courtesy of Emiliano Gonzalez http://www.fotosdeltuyu.com.ar)
| Common Moorhen |
| Home|Woodworks|Andean Condor|Ashy Headed Goose|Egret Common Moorhen|Shiny Cowbird|Giant Coot|Cardinal|Contact Copyright 2009 Lemoza.com |