David
Element
Wildlife
Photography
and Digital
Video Images
_______________________ Birds 22 - Moorhens 1
MOORHEN Gallinula
chloropus
MOORHEN Gallinula
chloropus
MOORHEN Gallinula
chloropus
MOORHEN Gallinula
chloropus
- The Moorhen is a
common inhabitant of many water bodies, favouring those
with plenty of vegetative cover and often breeding in
quite high densities. Although these gallinules
are superficially similar in appearance to (and
frequently confused with) Coots Fulica
atra, their red and yellow bills, a
reddish-brown tint to the plumage of the wings and back
and yellow legs should enable easy separation of the
adults. The prominent white tail feathers are used for
signalling purposes. Coots are larger, they have white
bills with a prominent white 'shield' on their foreheads
(particularly conspicuous in adult male birds) and their
plumage is entirely black (see Birds 19 for illustrations). Although
there is some overlapping the Coot tends to favour more
open water. Male Moorhens are very territorial and
aggressive to one another, particularly during the
breeding season, and they may often be seen posturing and
then flying short distances just above the water's
surface in hot pursuit of their rivals. This behaviour is
equally evident in Coots. Actual physical contact is
often avoided once the dominant males have established
who is the boss.
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Element.