29-9-2016 MALDON, ESSEX - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.

The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), also known as the waterhen or swamp chicken, is a bird species in the rail family (Rallidae). It is distributed across many parts of the Old World, from Africa to Europe and Asia.

Habitat includes Wetlands (inland): Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls), Shrub Dominated Wetlands,

Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands, Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha), Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha), Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha), Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha), Permanent Inland Deltas, Permanent Saline, Brackish or alka line Marshes/Pools; Marine Coastal/Supratidal: Coastal Brackish/Saline Lagoons/Marine Lakes, Coastal Freshwater Lakes; Artificial/Aquatic and Marine: Water Storage Areas (over 8ha), Ponds (below 8ha), Irrigated Land (includes irrigation channels), Canals and Drainage Channels, Ditches.