15-2-2018 ALBORAYA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

17-1-2018 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

13-12-2017 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

6-12-2017 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

19-11-2017 HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, ESSEX - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

10-10-2017 - VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

7-10-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

27-8-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

10-11-2015 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen is a meduim-sized member of the rail family found in aquatic environments. It is 12-15 inches in length and has a wingspan of a little under two feet. It has gray-black feathers and a red bill with a yellow tip. It has white stripes on its sides. It has long chicken-like toes that help it walk on the top of floating vegetation and the mud. Males and females are similar, but males are a little larger.

The common moorhen is omnivorous and feeds while walking on plants or while floating on the water. It swims across the water to scoop up floating seeds and other materials from plants floating on the surface of the water. It also dives to gather the seeds, leaves and roots of aquatic plants. On land it walks with a high-stepping gait and pecks at the ground like a chicken. It also eats algae, small fish, tadpoles, insects, berries, grass, snails, insects and worms.

26-8-2015 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

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.

The common moorhen lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals and other wetlands. The species is not found in the polar regions or many tropical rainforests. Elsewhere it is likely the most common rail species, except for the Eurasian coot in some regions.

The closely related common gallinule of the New World has been recognized as a separate species by most authorities, starting with the American Ornithologists' Union and the International Ornithological Committee in 2011.

The moorhen is a distinctive species, with predominantly black and brown plumage, with the exception of a white under-tail, white streaks on the flanks, yellow legs and a red frontal shield. The bill is red with a yellow tip. The young are browner and lack the red shield. The frontal shield of the adult has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides; the tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is a smooth waving line. In the related common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) of the Americas, the frontal shield has a fairly straight top and is less wide towards the bill, giving a marked indentation to the back margin of the red area.

The common moorhen gives a wide range of gargling calls and will emit loud hisses when threatened. A midsized to large rail, it can range from 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length and span 50 to 62 cm (20 to 24 in) across the wings. The body mass of this species can range from 192 to 500 g (6.8 to 17.6 oz).

18-5-2017 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

17-5-2017 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

31-1-2017 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

14-10-2015 VALENCIA BIOPARC - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

The Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a bird species in the rail family (Rallidae) found across many parts of the Old World. These birds live around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, and other wetlands. The word 'moor' as a part of their name is an old sense meaning marsh.

Common moorhens have predominantly black and brown plumage, with the exception of a white under-tail, white streaks on the flanks, yellow legs, and a red frontal shield. The bill is red with a yellow tip. The young are browner and lack the red shield. The frontal shield of the adult has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides; the tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is a smooth waving line.

Сommon moorhens are widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as eastern Europe, will migrate to more temperate climates. In China, Common moorhens are largely resident south of the Yangtze River, whilst northern populations migrate in the winter. These birds live around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, and other wetlands. They can even be found in city parks and urban areas.

Сommon moorhens have an omnivorous diet. They feed on a wide variety of vegetable material, seeds, and small aquatic creatures. The birds will also consume small fish, algae, insects, tadpoles, grass, berries, worms, and even snails.

21-12-2016 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

18-10-2016 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

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

22-9-2016 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)