Gallinula chloropus
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Mass
~340 g
Habitat
Wetlands and marshes
Diet
Omnivore
How to recognize it
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.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
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.
