Rails and coots · Cranes and rails
Eurasian Moorhen
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Gallinula chloropus
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Voice
Call
Joost van Bruggen
Alarm
Sonothèque ADVL
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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Pigeon-sized, dark brown-black overall
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Bright red forehead shield, red bill with yellow tip
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White flank streaks, white undertail with a black band
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On water, nodding head, quick swimming, sharp wingbeats
About the species
Eurasian Moorhen has a secretive, restless feel, as if it’s always halfway into the reeds. Its dark body and bright red forehead shield make it stand out without needing to show off.
It spends much of its time along the water’s edge, stepping quickly through shallow margins, slipping through vegetation and bobbing its tail as it goes. The voice is just as striking, with sharp, harsh calls and a softer warning note when it feels uneasy.
It likes marshes, ponds, canals and other well-vegetated wetlands, and it can settle into city parks too. It feeds on plant matter as well as small aquatic animals, and while many populations stay put, those in freezing regions move to milder places for winter.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Gallinula chloropus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Common moorhen Encyclopedia article