14-7-2024 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (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).

This is a common breeding and resident bird in marsh environments, rivers, well-vegetated lakes and even in city parks. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as eastern Europe, will migrate to more temperate climates. In China, common moorhen populations are largely resident south of the Yangtze River, whilst northern populations migrate in the winter, therefore these populations show high genetic diversity.

This species will consume a wide variety of vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes walking on lilypads or upending in the water to feed. They are often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite loss of habitat in parts of its range, the common moorhen remains plentiful and widespread.

5-5-2023 CANAL LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

Both parents incubate and feed the young. These fledge after 40–50 days, become independent usually a few weeks thereafter, and may raise their first brood the next spring. When threatened, the young may cling to the parents' body, after which the adult birds fly away to safety, carrying their offspring with them.

21-7-2022 CANAL LES FONTS, OLIVA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

8-7-2022 SILLA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

17-11-2021 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

29-9-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - 25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

 

9-9-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

14-8-2020 EL SALER, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

24-6-2020 RIVER JUCAR, RIOLA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

18-9-2019 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

11-8-2019 RIO VERNISSA, PALMA DE GANDIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

7-8-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

28-7-2019 VILLAVICIOSA, ASTURIAS - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

30-1-2019 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

18-9-2018 TABLAS DE DAMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

9-8-2018 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

7-7-2018 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

8-7-2018 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

Moorhens are known for their secretive nature but can become quite tame in certain areas. They exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season and are known to aggressively defend their territory against intruders.

The common moorhen emits a variety of gargling calls and will hiss loudly when threatened.

Breeding season sees moorhens becoming territorial. They construct a basket-like nest on the ground within dense vegetation. Egg-laying typically begins in spring, with clutches ranging from 5 to 8 eggs. Both parents are involved in incubation and rearing the young, which fledge after 40-50 days.

The common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) of the Americas is closely related but can be distinguished by the shape of its frontal shield and the coloration of its plumage.

Moorhens have a varied diet that includes vegetable matter and small aquatic organisms. They forage in and around water bodies, sometimes upending in the water or walking on lilypads to feed.

Globally, the common moorhen is abundant and classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, localized populations may be vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and hunting.

There are about five recognized subspecies of the common moorhen, which vary slightly in appearance and are distributed across different geographic regions. These subspecies include the Eurasian common moorhen (G. c. chloropus), the Indo-Pacific common moorhen (G. c. orientalis), the African common moorhen (G. c. meridionalis), the Madagascan common moorhen (G. c. pyrrhorrhoa), and the Mariana common moorhen (G. c. guami).

8-7-2018 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

Moorhens are known for their secretive nature but can become quite tame in certain areas. They exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season and are known to aggressively defend their territory against intruders.