Moorhen, (Gallinula chlorpus), (Brisson,1760)
Family: Rallidae.
Length: 32 to 35cm Wingspan: 50 to 55cm Weight 250 to 420g
Lifespan: Up to 15 years.
The Moorhen can be found over most of Europe, except for the far northern regions.
Habitat: Small lakes, Ponds, rivers, ditches and reservoirs, as long as they all have a good growth of vegetation and overhanging branches, along the edges of the waterline. Will also be found feeding on land amongst varies bushes and hedges, close to the waters edge.
Moorhens, are more elusive than coots on open waters. The Moorhen or sometimes called “Marsh-hen” prefers more vegetation cover while feeding. They have strong legs which have long toes, enabling good stabilising and balance when walking on soft uneven surfaces. They are also very agile climbers, of trees and hedges.
Moorhens are not strong fliers as they have short rounded wings, saying this they sometimes cover up to 2,000 km, in particular when migrating from some of its breeding areas in the colder parts of Europe, especially the cold parts of Siberia. Migrations usually take place during the night.
These birds are omnivorous feeders, feeding on most water vegetation, including the roots, seeds, fruits, small rodents, amphibians and eggs from other bird nests. The Moorhen is a very aggressive territorial bird during the breeding season, a female will often attack another female, by using their long toes as weapons, when fighting over a male bird.
Voice: Loud sudden notes, sounding like "kurruk" or "kittik" repeated
Nesting: A shallow bowl of leaves and plant stems, placed in low reeds and sometimes in the holes of trees. Will also be found just above the waters-surface, in an overhanging branch or bush. Two to three broods a year containing anything from five to eleven eggs, between April to August.