Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
The Common Moorhen is a widely distributed waterbird belonging to the rail family. It is characterized by slate-grey to black plumage, a prominent red frontal shield with a yellow bill tip, and white stripes along the flanks. These birds inhabit various types of water bodies with dense riparian vegetation where they build their nests. They are adept swimmers and divers but also move confidently on land, displaying a characteristic tail-flicking behavior.
Details
Identification
Red frontal shield, yellow bill tip, white flank line, green legs with a red band on the upper leg, white undertail coverts with a black center.
Social behavior
Strictly territorial and aggressive towards conspecifics during the breeding season, often found in loose groups on ice-free waters during winter.
Diet
Omnivorous; diet includes aquatic plants, algae, seeds as well as insects, snails, worms, and occasionally small fish or amphibians.
Hunting strategy
Foraging by pecking at the water surface or on land, dabbling, and occasional short dives.
Overwintering
Remaining in the breeding area under ice-free conditions or short-distance migration to climatically more favorable areas.
Ecology
Ecological role
Consumer in aquatic ecosystems; serves as prey for predators and contributes to the dispersal of plant seeds.
Natural predators
Northern pike, brown rat, red fox, marsh harrier, northern goshawk, and various corvids (nest predators).
Competitor species
Eurasian Coot (competition for nesting sites and food), other rail species.
Ecosystem service
Seed dispersal of aquatic plants and biological control of insect populations.
Threats
Loss of wetlands, destruction of riparian vegetation, disturbance by recreational activities, and predation by invasive species (e.g., raccoon).
Scientific profile
Morphology & ID
Breeding plumage
Slate-grey to black on head and underparts, olive-brown back, prominent white flank line and white undertail coverts with a black center.
Non-breeding plumage
Similar to breeding plumage, but overall slightly duller and browner in color.
Juvenile plumage
Grey-brown, throat paler, bill and frontal shield greenish-brown without red parts.
Sexual dimorphism
Minimal; males are on average slightly larger and have a more brightly colored frontal shield.
Distinguishing features
Red frontal shield and bill base with yellow tip, white flank line, white undertail coverts.
Confusion species
Common Coot (Fulica atra): Larger, white bill and frontal shield, no white flank line.
Bill
Bright red base and frontal shield, yellow to greenish-yellow tip.
Vocalization
Song
No true song, but diverse calls; best known is a gargling 'kurr-uk'.
Call
Harsh, explosive calls like 'krek' or 'kik', often during agitation or territorial disputes.
Distribution & migration
Breeding range
Widespread in the Palearctic, from Europe through North Africa to East Asia.
Wintering range
Similar to breeding range, but withdrawal from frost-prone regions of Northern Europe to milder areas of Western and Southern Europe.
Migration details
Partial migrant; populations in Northern and Eastern Europe migrate southwest, while they are often residents in Western and Central Europe.
Habitat
Breeding habitat
Eutrophic standing or slow-flowing waters with dense riparian vegetation (reeds, rushes, bushes).